Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Merlot; 20% Blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Well-crafted, with medium-grained tannins supporting buoyant cherry, plum and currant flavors. Minerally midpalate, with hints of white pepper on the fresh finish. Drink now through 2025.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot offers excellent richness coupled with a pleasing suppleness. TASTING NOTES: This wine deftly combines black fruit, dust, and savory spices in its aroma and flavors. Pair it with roast veal topped with smokey bacon. (Tasted: October 17, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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.