Winemaker Notes
In the bottle, the W.S. Keyes Merlot shows rich mocha, blackberry, and blueberry pie that capture the classic La Jota combination of intense fruit and complexity. The finish is structured with a well-balanced acidity.
Blend: 77% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A tribute to the great Merlots of the world, the 2016 Merlot W.S. Keyes checks in as 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and unfortunately, there’s only a tiny amount made. This inky colored beauty offers a huge nose of black cherries, currants, graphite, licorice, crushed rocks and new leather. It's rich, powerful, concentrated and layered, with terrific acidity and freshness, building tannin, and incredible length. It’s a tour de force in Merlot that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 20-25 years or more.
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James Suckling
The violet and lavender aromas are so beautiful. Berries, black olives and spice. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a gorgeous finish. Wonderful. 77 per cent merlot and 23 per cent cabernet sauvignon. The Masseto of Napa. Try in 2023.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 W.S. Keyes Merlot offers up glorious scents of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and blackberry pie with hints of wild sage, espresso, star anise and menthol. Full, rich and firmly textured with wonderfully velvety tannins and bold, layered flavors, it finishes very long and earthy. 430 cases produced.
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.