Winemaker Notes
The aromatics of this wine are wonderfully infused with tart strawberry, dusty beets, and toffee. On the palate, resinous herbs intermingle with pie crust and vanilla, followed by notes of tobacco, lavender, and clove oil. Hearty and resplendent, this wine has exemplary depth and power, and true to Seavey style can be cellared for fifteen years or more.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the reds, the 2018 Merlot sports a vivid ruby/purple color as well as juicy notes of Bing cherries, leafy herbs, conifer tree, and spring flowers. With beautiful purity, notable elegance, and silky tannins, it’s just a balanced, elegant style of red that will evolve for 15 years in cold cellars.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Merlot was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 39% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it wafts out of the glass with fragrant scents of violets, clove oil and chocolate box with a core of warm plums, blueberry pie and Black Forest cake. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy with loads of freshness and a spicy finish. Yum!
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.