Franciscan’s Merlot grows in the cooler half of Napa Valley, from the winery’s estate in the heart of the Oakville District on south to vineyards in Carneros. These cooler vineyards give more vibrant flavors and denser structure to the wine—two qualities that are critical to growing outstanding Merlot. In the winery,...
The 2006 vintage Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The additional flavors and structure that Cabernet gives to the predominately Merlot-based wine adds both character and aging ability. Using one-third new oak barrels (as they do for all vintages) gives the appropriate aromas of toasted...
Chateau St. Jean Merlot Sonoma Valley 2005
Aromas of sweet black cherry, black plum and toasted almonds burst from the glass of this Merlot. These bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and clove. A rich and full mid-palate, with polished tannins, leads to a lush finish with cassis...
The color is a rich ruby in depth with reddish hues. The aroma is appealing with nuances of dried cranberry, red raspberry, cherry, chocolate espresso, not to miss the subtle hints of mint and arugula. The pleasant balance in the flavor, while finishing on the crisp side, is accented by flavors...
Sebastiani Merlot Alexander Valley 2006
Located in the northern reaches of the Alexander Valley, the Lyon Vineyard, owned by winemaker Mark Lyon, forms the core of this wine, supplying the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. The rich soil is a blend of well drained, gravel and sandy loam soils, which controls vigor, water, and nutrient uptake....
Sbragia Family Vineyards Merlot Home Ranch 2005
Sbragia Home Ranch Vineyard, which has been farmed by the family for decades, is located on the East side of Dry Creek in Sonoma County, California. The eight-acre Merlot vineyard sits on the flatland of Dry Creek Valley, and area that had a propensity to flood before the Dry Creek Dam...
Kenwood Merlot Jack London Vineyard 2005
The Jack London Ranch creates distinctive red wines that have a loyal following throughout the world. The red volcanic soil and pleasantly warm climate of this hillside vineyard combine to produce rich, full-bodied wines. Located on Sonoma Mountain with an eastern exposure, this vineyard gets early morning sun and breezes in...
If you like Merlot, you'll LOVE this one! As good as, if not better than Calistoga's past vintages. Blended with their Cabernet Sauvignon it has BIG, bold flavors of ripe currants, plum and black cherries coupled with hints of herbal and oak aromas. Shows complexity in it's deep, dark, ruby color....
The 2005 Merlot has a deep purple center that graduates to a garnet hue along the perimeter. Black fruit, black olives, dried herbs and cassis characterize the nose. In the mouth, the wine delivers bold flavors of spice, licorice, blackberry and dark plum, with soft tannins and a long, lingering finish....
Atalon Merlot Napa Valley 2002
Atalon’s 2002 Napa Merlot is deep purple in color with intense aromas and flavors of cherry, pomegranate, ripe plums and blackberry. Herbal notes such as fresh basil, dried lavender, olives and white pepper sit in the background adding depth and complexity. The tannins are firm yet smooth adding to a pleasant,...
An awesome Merlot, with a dark color layers of blackberry, currants with a lightly toast oak intensity. The flavors pick up momentum showing blackberry, cherry, sage and a hint of creamy mocha. There is an excellent balance, depth and range of flavors in the finish. Enjoy now through 2010.
Gary Farrell Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2001
This lush, broadly structured, palate-coating effort is generously endowed with lavish, layered black-cherry/blackberry fruit and classy oak and is further complexed by nuances of chocolate and pepper-spice. While it is hugely gratifying for its intensity, depth, richness and amazing length, the components remain balanced, and wonderfully integrated tannins bring a sense...
This wine begins with a dark red ruby color along with a big, sweet nose of dark fruits intermixed with espresso roast. True to the nose, this wine’s palate is further described by François as complex, layered and opulent..revealing gorgeously melted toffee notes that complement the rich bouquet of black fruits....
Luna Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is the color of vibrant raspberries. The nose is filled with smoked, roasted walnuts and a touch of brambleberry. This is a big, muscular Merlot with an abundance of blackberry, Mission figs, and anise on the mid-palate. Seamless, elegant layers appear on the finish, with more...
Provenance Merlot Napa Valley 2005
Provenance's 2005 Napa Valley Merlot opens with aromas of dark cherry, pomegranate and blackberry intertwined with hints of chocolate cherry liqueur, mineral and cinnamon. The velvety flavors fan out across the palate with more red berry fruit, and then pick up nutmeg and malted chocolate notes on the lingering finish. Selecting...
Silverado Vineyards Merlot 2005
A wet beginning to the year and continued rainfall well into spring delayed bloom and fruit set. Cool weather throughout summer into September lead to concern about ripening the larger than normal crop. Fog lingered where warm weather would typically prevail to ripen grapes. Though later than normal, warm days arrived...
BR Cohn Merlot Sonoma Valley 2006
BR Cohn's 2006 Sonoma Valley Merlot is a blend of the finest Merlot vineyards of the Sonoma Valley. These grapes provide wonderful aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, bright cherry and a hint of anise and mocha. Aging is the best tight-grain French oak barrels adds complexity, toasty vanilla, and supple...
Cuvaison’s Napa Valley Carneros Merlot comes from their own estate in the southern part of Napa Valley. This cool climate vineyard allows us nearly perfect conditions year after year to produce world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. Controlling all farming aspects within their own vineyard gives Cuvaison...
Stags Leap Winery Merlot Stags Leap District 2006
Merlot vines grow exceptionally in the Bale Loams of Stags’ Leap: alluvial soils with volcanic ash minerality. Underneath the top layer exists a deeper layer of sandy loam laced with gravel and cobbles, allowing the kind of quick and thorough drainage that leaves the vines a little thirsty, concentrating their flavors....
Pine Ridge Merlot Crimson Creek 2005
With sweet scents of baked berries on the nose, the 2005 Crimson Creek Merlot exudes warm cherry and cranberry aromas, woven with vanilla, brown sugar, white pepper and a slight minty nuance. Sweet and full-bodied on the palate, the soft, fleshy fruit flavor comes to the forefront, delivering with it the...
Swanson Merlot Napa Valley 2005
Intense and concentrated with firm, vivid band of spice, currant, black cherry and wild berry, it holds a tight focus on the fruit and finishes with a crisp finish of acidity and tannins. Drink now through 2010. - Rated 90 Wine Spectator
Color: Rich, deep red and garnet.
Nose: Hints of violets compliment the deep fruit aromas of blueberries and blackberries. There is a nice smoky barrel character with notes of cream and baking spice.
Mouth: Smooth, rich, mouth filling Merlot that is well balanced across the whole palate. There are soft well...
Dark ruby in color, Frog's Leap 2006 Merlot radiates bright aromatics of ripe plum underscored by notes of cocoa. Mouth-filling flavors of cherry and currants are laced with hints of cigar box and dried herbs. Medium bodied and smooth in texture, the succulent fruit core is balanced by delicate acidity and...
Produced only in select years, the Winemaker's Handprint is what all Merlots strive to be. It has deep, dark color, and its full-blown cherry nose is surrounded by toasty French oak. On the palate you'll find sweet fruit of cherry and plum, with hints of leather, cola and vanilla. And the...
