Winemaker Notes
The aromatics are distinctive for the varietals - fig jam, dried violet, cedar, black pepper, lavender and red currant fruits. Big, sumptuous and very concentrated, this wine is opulent without being heavy. It finishes long with unexpected freshness.
Blend: 59% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Mekerra Proprietary Red is a blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot aged for 20 months in 70% new 225-liter French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with a textbook plum-laced nose plus notes of warm redcurrants, Black Forest cake and black pepper with touches of garrigue, cedar chest, pencil lead and lavender. Big, wonderfully concentrated and sporting loads of dried herbs and red fruit accents, it has a solid backbone of grainy tannins and great freshness defining the long finish.
Rating: 95(+)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds, the 2016 Merlot Mekerra is 100% Merlot brought up 60% new French oak. Named after a river in Algeria, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as medium to full body, a layered, rich texture, plenty of minerality, and impressive notes of black cherries, blackberries, licorice, camphor, and chocolate. It’s a ripe, sexy Merlot to drink over the coming 10-12 years.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.