Winemaker Notes
Intense red plum, dried cranberry, and black cherry meet hints of mint on the nose. The palate is bursting with blackberry and warm pie crust flavors which extend through the rich mouthfeel and on to the long finish. Fine tannins are supported by a bright acidity in each beautifully balanced sip.
Blend: 81% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A good, solid-quality, firm-textured wine that offers sturdy tannins and ripe, handsome red and black fruit flavors. Full-bodied, balanced, spicy and mouth-filling. Made from mostly Carneros merlot grapes, with the addition of 12% petit verdot and 7% cabernet sauvignon.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Rombauer's 2022 Merlot Napa Valley is largely sourced from Carneros; a portion of the wine is barrel-fermented, and the Merlot is augmented by small portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The nose is marked by scents of pencil shavings and black cherries—it's lacking herbal notes but does include hints of coffee and dark chocolate. In the mouth, this medium- to full-bodied wine is silky and plush, with a mouthwatering finish.
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.