Courtney Benham

Napa Valley Merlot

8.667 ratings
8.32 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Sipping Fine Wine

Deep Ruby, a bold Merlot with berry aromas and odd perfume spice. On the palate tart cherry and strawberry flavors with spice, cacao and leafy herb notes. Firm tannins, medium finish ending with earthy rustic cedar character. Drink now, no aging benefit!

Deep Ruby, a bold Merlot with berry aromas and odd perfume spice. On the palate tart cherry and strawberry flavors with spice, cacao and leafy herb notes. Firm tannins, medium finish ending with earthy rustic cedar character. Drink now, no aging benefit!

Feb 26th, 2021
Joe Christenson

A fine entry-prices straightforward Merlot. Good balance of fruit, acid, and oak. A bit more red berry and spice than a sweet plum/blueberry Merlot, which is a nice variation, but overall doesn’t wow.

A fine entry-prices straightforward Merlot. Good balance of fruit, acid, and oak. A bit more red berry and spice than a sweet plum/blueberry Merlot, which is a nice variation, but overall doesn’t wow.

Jul 12th, 2020
Jim Lancaster

Meh

Jan 10th, 2020
Shruti

Really good for the price.

Really good for the price.

Jun 14th, 2018
Sean Herriott

Tastes WAY too good to be under $20

Tastes WAY too good to be under $20

Jul 31st, 2016
Gail Butter

Excellent. Should have rated 9.4

Excellent. Should have rated 9.4

Jul 19th, 2016
Karen Murray

Low acid with medium tannins. Smokey nose with hints of cocoa, pepper and smoke on the palate. Quite nice.

Low acid with medium tannins. Smokey nose with hints of cocoa, pepper and smoke on the palate. Quite nice.

Jul 7th, 2016
Scott Walton

Strong but missing flavor

Strong but missing flavor

May 2nd, 2016
Mike Murphy

Not our cup of tea.

Not our cup of tea.

Apr 3rd, 2016
Slestyan

Good/great merlot

Good/great merlot

Jan 30th, 2016