Signature Napa Valley Merlot

Full. Well balanced.

Lacking a bit in substance although it could be that I had this after drinking Cabernet Sauvignon. Still smooth and approachable...just thought there had been more to it when I first tried this wine.

Merlot 2011 still worth drinking early 2018! Fell a bit towards being open for about 1 1/2 hours.

Merlot gets a bad rap. Everyone always quotes Paul Giamatti's Sideways line: "I'm not drinking any f#*%ing merlot!"... could one sentence bear so much weight?! Apparently the bias was formed when producers sacrificed quality for quantity when the varietal became popular. Even thou it's more of a blending grape, I am a big fan of a good Merlot. And at our wine dinner Thur, I liked Darioush's Merlot just as much as the Cab (and it was half the price). Lots of fruit and softer in a way. (Softer is undervalued these days)

6/19. Best Merlot for me. Big and bold. Lingers on the palate.

I'm not sure if I've tagged the correct wine. Adjusting feedback much appreciated...
Nose is slightly muted. Offers up oak, rich blackcurrants and caramel. On the palette, the wine is voluptuous and dense. Mid palette displays a nice lithe mouthfeel, with fully integrated tannins, and extravagant fruit extraction. Finishes flamboyant with linze torte, nutmeg and brown sugar.
@Joe Lucca gifted me the cab a while back. I was excited to learn that they also do a merlot. Very impressive.

Spicy

Older, has lost some brightness but the structure is still wonderful. Always a great Merlot!

Lush and rich. Red and blue fruit, vanilla, tabacco, and cedar. A touch of heat made this good not great, but a pleasure nonetheless.

Round and rich. A definite Cab lover's Merlot and an appealing wine to drink after dinner.