Winemaker Notes
Full-bodied with bright flavors of strawberries, red currants, licorice and a hint of coffee.
Enjoy with roast duck, braised veal and eggplant Parmesan.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Grgich Hills Estate Merlot dazzles on the palate as it stays tender and mellow. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows attractive black fruit and violets in its aromas and flavors. Enjoy it with a mildly-seasoned, oven-roasted Porchetta. (Tasted: June 9, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
Reductive and tight in feel at first, this wine opens slowly in the glass to show a complex mixture of leather, tobacco and sage. Big, powerful tannins give it weight and breadth around a lasting note of red currant.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.