Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This continues to be a benchmark for Napa merlots for me with soft and velvety tannins, earth, mushroom and meat character. White truffle too. Unique nose. Full body and a juicy, long, long finish. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
An unapologetically plump and flamboyant style that offers pure pleasure. Blackberry and spicy toast aromas lead to rich, complex flavors of black cherry and mocha, with a hint of dry herb. The finish lasts forever. Drink now through 2020.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Often one of the top three or four Merlots made in California is the 2012 Merlot (91% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon). This has always been a winner and continues to be so, and probably no winery in California has had such a long succession of brilliant Merlots as Jayson Pahlmeyer. He has had some brilliant talent working with him over the years, including one of the first jobs Helen Turley took, followed by one of her assistants Erin Green. This wine exhibits dense plum/ruby/purple color, plenty of mocha, cherry jam and cassis. I wouldn’t say it’s one of their all-time great Merlots, but it’s top-flight. Very rich, it shows a broad spectrum of flavors and an expansive mouthfeel.
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.