93pts Tasting Panel

This Right Bank-style blend of 61% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions of Cab Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot aged in French and American oak for over 16 months. Bright coffee, cherry, and dark chocolate illuminate the well-built frame. Dynamic and luscious, with finely grained tannins and a toasty finish of plum and cedar.

92pts James Suckling

Some vivid tobacco leaves and olives to the dark plums, cassis and cedary wood. A hint of chocolate, too. Juicy and firm on the palate, showing nice dryness and poise. A classy red blend of 61% merlot, 24% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 5% malbec and 3% petit verdot. Ends pretty long, fresh and nuanced. Well made.

Winemaker Notes

Black cherry and raspberry jam flavors with milk chocolate and vanilla bean aromas. A delicious and opulent structured wine with a velvety texture. Inspired by Markham's deep history of making Bordeaux varietals in Napa Valley, with a passion for Merlot and Cabernet, The Altruist is a red blend made in the Right Bank style, where Merlot takes center stage.

Blend: 61% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot

Winery Notes

For 45 years, Markham Vineyards has been a leader in crafting world-class Bordeaux varietals in Napa Valley, with Merlot taking center stage. They honor the heritage of the remarkable Napa Valley wine growing region with every grape grown, every wine bottled, every sip savored. From decades of sustainable farming to our unwavering passion for Merlot, they celebrate the adventurous spirit of Napa while embracing the unique voice of the land. "Merlot is the flagship wine here at Markham. With 260 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards and land, each of our Merlot wines are reflective of the distinctive AVAs across the Napa Valley," Kimberlee Nicholls, Winemaker. Each of their exceptional wines is a nuanced expression of the region's character, born of the soil and nurtured with respect for yesterday's successes and a passion for tomorrow's discoveries.

Markham has always embodied a spirit of creativity and collaboration. From building the iconic stone cellar, to firing a cannon annually in the vineyards, to crafting their signature Merlot, the Markham story continues to evolve, grow and be enriched by each voice's unique mark of character.

WOMEN-LED WINEMAKING & VITICULTURE TEAM

Markham is honored to have Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls at the helm of the Markham winemaking team. When Kim began her career three decades ago, she was one of the first female winemakers in the Napa Valley. Today, women winemakers in Napa Valley still only represent 12% of the total, and Kim remains among the very few who specialize in Merlot.