Winemaker Notes
Generous would be an understatement in describing the fruit of the 2022 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot. The opulence and finesse of this wine beautifully showcase mountain fruit at its best. Blackberries dominate the first impression before unfurling into attractive aromas of black cherry and ripe plum, carefully accented by hints of bay and chocolate, with a touch of sage. The juicy, ripe fruit makes for a mouth-watering first sip, but is kept at heel by its considerable tension, owing to the playful interchange of its balanced acidity and supple tannin structure. It is those traits that linger, providing a long, luxurious finish. It is stunning now and will continue to impress for years to come.
Blend: 85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lush aromas of Damson plums, blackcurrants and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of mocha, blueberry bush, graphite and licorice. Well balanced and textural. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Spicy, herbal, black cherry, and leather-like notes all emerge from the 2022 Merlot, a medium-bodied, juicy, plump, incredibly satisfying, and delicious Merlot. It has ripe tannins and integrated acidity.
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Vinous
The 2022 Merlot is packed with blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, espresso, menthol and tobacco. This full-bodied, potent Merlot packs a huge punch. Then again, this is 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pride's 2022 Merlot includes 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Red and black cherries lead the way on the nose, joined by hints of coffee and chocolate. In the mouth, this is full-bodied, plush and velvety yet retains decent acidity and reveals ample length on the finish.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.