Winemaker Notes
Candied black cherries and pomegranates burst out of this wine aromatically, coupled with graphite, cocoa dust, fresh tobacco leaf, cherry cola, baked croissant, and toasted vanilla. On the palate, this Merlot has fine, firm tannins alongside red currants, strawberry rhubarb pie, raspberry coulis, toasted walnuts, leather, and spice. It is supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish. Enjoy right now and through 2026 with proper cellaring.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a well-made, attractively priced red wine, blended with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. It shows highlights of sage, clove and cedar that are well integrated into the dense core of blueberry and mocha.
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James Suckling
Dark-berry and caramelized blueberry-pudding aromas lead to a palate that has a smooth, concentrated and velvety style with spiced blueberries throughout. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
A taut and sanguine red, with roasted cherry and macerated plum flavors that feature plenty of slate notes. Accents of ground black pepper and dried green herbs show on the tannic finish. Drink now.
Whitehall Lane Winery was founded in 1979, but the history of the soil cultivation dates back two centuries. In the mid 1800's, Napa Valley settlers were drawn to the gravelly-loam soils and ideal climate, planting high quality grape vines at the Whitehall Lane Winery site. A barn constructed in the early 1900's for equipment storage is still used today. In 1979, two brothers started the winery and directed their winemaking efforts successfully to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. They named the winery after the road that runs along the southern border of the property, Whitehall Lane.
In 1993, the Leonardini Family purchased the Whitehall Lane Winery estate. They updated the winemaking and barrel-aging program and introduced a scientific approach in the vineyards. The winery now owns seven prime vineyards that are the cornerstone on which the wines are made. They include two vineyards in the St. Helena Appellation, three vineyards (including the winery) in the Rutherford Appellation, one vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley and one vineyard in Sonoma Valley.
In its short history, Whitehall Lane has developed into a world-class winery. The efforts of the Leonardini Family are evident in the run of accolades from wine publications but are even more apparent in their elegant, beautifully made wines.
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.