Winemaker Notes
The 2018 vintage has a beautiful and complex nose black cherry, boysenberry jam, plum, and fresh cut flowers come through first, then cardamom, nutmeg, and a touch of cocoa and vanilla enter giving the nose depth and intrigue. The palate too has great depth and complexity flavors of red cherries, muddled berries, and dried herbs, with a creamy texture and silky tannin complimented by a fresh, vibrant acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Incorporating 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec, the 2018 Merlot sports a dense purple hue as well as a killer nose of cassis, black cherries, spring flowers, tobacco, spice, and even a hint of menthol. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, elegant texture, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure class and one heck of a great Merlot as well as a value. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 7-8 years, if not upwards of a decade or more.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Merlot is a blend of 94% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sails out of the glass with expressive notes of blackberry pie, stewed plums and sautéed herbs plus hints of tar, black pepper and fertile loam. The palate is full-bodied and laden with juicy black fruit flavors, supported by soft, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a lively herbal lift.
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.