92pts James Suckling

A merlot with chocolate, black olive, and walnut aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and layered. Chewy tannins. Juicy at the same time. Give it two or three years to soften.

92pts Wine Enthusiast

Beautiful red and black fruits meld with dark chocolate and cinnamon accents in this well-oaked, nicely concentrated wine. A full body is backed by moderate tannins, giving it more structure and mouthfeel than a typical Merlot.

90pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The untrendiness of Merlot is really reflected by this wine. With only one-third as many cases produced as the Cabernet Sauvignon and a higher proportion of new French oak (38% versus 27%), the 2020 Merlot sells for just two-thirds the price. Yet it's a solid effort, with classy hints of pencil shavings framing black cherry fruit. Juicy, fun and easy to drink, it's medium to full-bodied and velvety-textured, with ample length on the finish.

Winemaker Notes

With freshness exhibiting its southern Napa origins, the 2019 Merlot leaps from the glass with layers of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and dark raspberry, alongside baking spice notes of cinnamon spice, vanilla, and crème brûlée. Savory, chaparral notes of lavender, bay laurel, mint and thyme accompany succulent tones of cherry kirsch and bittersweet chocolate. Hints of anise and hazelnut play on the palate, a nod to the delicately interwoven oak integration. Opulent and plush with mouthwatering acidity, polished structure, and finesse, all framed by present, mouth-coating tannins, finishing with layers and depth, showcasing the balance, elegance, and grace of this exemplary Merlot.

Blend: 94% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah, 1% Malbec