Winemaker Notes
#61 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the USA 2025
This Merlot opens with an alluring bouquet of dark plum, violet, tea leaf and a delicate touch of dried rosemary. The palate is round and inviting, with glossy tannins and a harmonious blend of mocha and dark fruit flavors that flow seamlessly alongside the layers of boysenberries, blackberries, and mocha. The luscious core of dark berry fruits are complemented by a polished texture that leads to savory notes of sage, Bay Laurel, and black olives, adding depth and complexity to this mouth pleasing and juicy wine. The wine finishes rich and flavorful with notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and crushed stone, providing a depth and refinement, showcasing the intriguing nature of Napa Valley's 2022 vintage.
Blend: 91% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Plush and generous aromas of Damson plums, citrus peel, iodine and tea leaves. This is full-bodied with soft tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of mocha, blackberry compote, purple flowers and dried herbs.
A fashionable country resort in the mid-twentieth century, popular with Hollywood due to its 1892 stone Manor House and historic gardens, legends of bootleggers and gangsters, ghosts and gypsies, Stags' Leap has been home to three major family groups up through the modern revitalization of the winery that began in the 1970s.
Stags Leap Manor, as it was called in the 1920s, was known as one of the prominent country retreats in the Napa Valley at a time when resort and spa business was big. In addition to lodging and dining, amenities included lawn tennis, swimming, horseback riding, children's activities, golf, music, cards, a library, and Napa Valley wines and liquors (prior to and after Prohibition).
An intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, Stags Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity.
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.