The Barrel Blend Napa Valley Merlot Blend

Last bottle of this, and it’s always a great value. Even though it’s a Merlot-heavy blend, a bit of what seems like nice Cabernet character, with dark berries and cassis, cedar comes through. Great balance. Tannins very soft. I always buy too little of this.

The 2017 version is stylistically different from the the ‘16. It’s darker and more extracted, with a noticeably tacky feel. Nevertheless, still a great value. Nose has loads of dark cassis and graphite, along with a fair amount of baker’s chocolate. The flavors are intense and low-toned, with dark berry ooze, dark chocolate, and iodiney, graphite-like notes on the clingy finish. Not super complex, but shows a lot of character. Actually seems a lot more Cabernet-like than Merlot-like.

So fun and tasty. Happy nose features ripe plums and cassis, baking spice, warm sandstone. Texturally perfect, with soft fruit and just enough super-soft tannin. Savory elements temper the ripe fruit in the mouth. A bit of complexity, and the full bodied finish is very pure with just a tad of peppery heat. What a value (I got it for $16/ bottle).

Value from Napa.

Rich and dense, dark and dry.

Recommended at wine bar for fruit forward bold flavor. It is very good.

My new favorite... From CLT restaurant

Great bottle for the price a lot of fun

For as much flack as Robert Parker gets, he's certainly due credit when he's right. His note is, detail by detail, spot on. I have nothing of value to add other than pointing it out... "Inky bluish/purple with notes of blueberry liqueur, black raspberry, licorice and incense, this full-bodied opulent wine hits all the sweet spots on the palate, but is dry and full-bodied with voluptuous texture, terrific palate presence and complexity."

My wife needed a red cooking wine and I found this on the floor in my wine cellar. Not sure how it got there. Color is almost black. Not much berry aroma or flavor. Smooth finish. Overall, a good cooking wine.