Merlot 2019
“Easily one of the best Napa Valley Merlots out there.”- Wine Enthusiast Magazine
A rare variety when we started, we included Merlot in our pioneering plantings in the late 1960s. Ever since then, our belief in this venerable variety has held firm. Focusing on the balance between bright red fruit and dark earth, this wine displays remarkable intensity. Wrapped in a floral perfume and velvety tannins, it is also seductively complex and wonderfully food-friendly.
Smooth and fresh, this wine opens with ripe raspberry, cherry, plum, and a touch of dark chocolate. On the palate, darker fruit flavors of black cherry and boysenberry emerge with layered herbal notes leading to a long, juicy finish.
The dormant season was wet with much more rain than usual before the skies cleared in April, just in time for budbreak. The weather in May was surprisingly cool and rainy again, slowing down the vine growth and serving as a harbinger of the roller-coaster growing season that followed. The summer months alternated between warmer and cooler than average, but thankfully, the daily high temperatures rarely exceeded 100°F. September was warm and sunny, providing the perfect finish and all the grapes were in by mid-October.
This bright and elegant Merlot pairs well with Italian cuisine and savory dishes, like roasted chicken, mushrooms, and parmesan. Winery Chef Chris Kennedy suggests pairing it with his Roasted Mushrooms with Arugula and Potato-Parsnip Purée.
92 POINTS
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2022
GOLD
The Global Merlot Masters 2023
