Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A beautiful effort is the deep purple-colored 2002 Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard. A big, sweet, chocolate, toffee, caramel, and dried herb-scented bouquet is followed by a round, generous Merlot exhibiting silky tannin as well as a sweet, rich finish.
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Wine Spectator
Tightly focused on a core of vivid blackberry and wild berry fruit. Intense, complex and concentrated, it never veers from its core fruitiness. On the finish the tannins offer a fruity character.
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.