Winemaker Notes
Blend: 81% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Merlot Blueline Estate is another beauty offering notable opulence and texture while staying balanced and pure. Currants, black cherries, smoked earth and spice-box all flow to a full-bodied, ripe, layered Merlot that has the class to keep for 15 years or more.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Merlot Blueline Estate is 82% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. This is a big jump up from the 2014 – a sexy lush fruit bomb with plenty of white chocolate, espresso bean, background oak and loads of black cherry and blackcurrant fruit with a nice chocolaty edge. This is a sexy beast to drink over the next 10+ years.
Range:90-93
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.