Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Creamy and rich-tasting, featuring plush dark fruit, Asian spice and forest floor flavors. Sanguine accents show midpalate, with notes of cinnamon bark on the finish. Drink now through 2024.
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James Suckling
Attractive aromas and flavors of blackberries and vanilla with hints of milk chocolate. Medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a delicious finish. Drink or hold.
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.