Napa Valley Merlot

Delicious. A sentimental favorite winery for my wife and me, Freemark’s reds are, in my experience, consistently top notch. Nose has sweet Luxardo cherry, rich humus, just a tad of barrel spice, stony crushed gravel, and sniffably tangy acids. Round and full-flavored, it’s got smoky cassis fruit that is clingy and turns minerally/savory as the finish progresses. Soft textured and balanced. Just a joy to drink.

I don’t really have any relationship to Merlot, so I thought it was time to spend some time with a bottle. Though not necessarily known for this grape, Freemark Abbey is a name to remember - the first winery in CA founded by a woman and an American delegate at the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting. I figured an Oakville right bank blend was as close as I’m going to come soon to a young Pomerol. The wine was a deep garnet purple, almost opaque, and after an hour in decanter I got wild blackberry and rhubarb, dark chocolate and tobacco chilling with some decreasingly opinionated tannins. We’ll see how it compares to the next, but I’m happy. $32, 2016

Deep purple with undertones of ruby. The first thing that hits you on the nose is some really appealing milk chocolate, blueberry jam, and new oak. Talk about an old reliable. This is still unabashedly old school Napa and I love it. Even at 14.5 the heat won’t bother you too much after it gets some air. Though a big Merlot, there’s plenty of nuance and complexity to be found. Smooth tannins and what I would call robust acidity. Well balanced with a hints of sage and tart cherry on the mid palate. On the tongue, you’ll find plenty of red and blue fruit complimented by vanilla, mocha, and more oak. Don’t think that just because this is old school and reliable that it’s boring. Just because it’s not over the top and in your face that this can’t be a beautiful wine. This is a sturdy, fun Merlot.