Mayacamas Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

9.223 ratings
9.110 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
Sean Capiaux

Tasting so youthful

Tasting so youthful

Jan 8th, 2024
Matt Perlman

Nicely structured, plush plum and raspberry with black tea and maybe a slight tinge of American oak.

Nicely structured, plush plum and raspberry with black tea and maybe a slight tinge of American oak.

Nov 19th, 2022
Tracy Hall

Smells like old world (A little Brett in a good way) but when you taste it (tannins) you know it's new world. This is holding up much better than most 97 Cab from Napa. I would say at its peak now.

Smells like old world (A little Brett in a good way) but when you taste it (tannins) you know it's new world. This is holding up much better than most 97 Cab from Napa. I would say at its peak now.

Mar 11th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Second of the blind Napa Valley Mountain reds. Medium to deep ruby core and a bit lighter on the edges. A touch floral on the attack of the nose with forest floor, cherries, a little herbal and a touch of sweet spices in the finish. High acidity and balanced tannins (7/10). Medium bodied with lots of red berries and earthy characteristics. Very dry with acidity holding this wine together in its long finish. Drink till 2019.

Second of the blind Napa Valley Mountain reds. Medium to deep ruby core and a bit lighter on the edges. A touch floral on the attack of the nose with forest floor, cherries, a little herbal and a touch of sweet spices in the finish. High acidity and balanced tannins (7/10). Medium bodied with lots of red berries and earthy characteristics. Very dry with acidity holding this wine together in its long finish. Drink till 2019.

2 people found it helpfulOct 2nd, 2017
Morgan Twain-Peterson

Winemaker Bedrock Wine Co., Partner Under the Wire

9.6

Yeah, bitchin' merlot. In a great spot right now.

Yeah, bitchin' merlot. In a great spot right now.

Jan 17th, 2015
Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.2

Pretty, elegant, fantastic.

Pretty, elegant, fantastic.

Feb 20th, 2014
Allison Sidbury

Black cherry, blackberry, and smoke with a surprising amount of tannin and good acidity. The 2019 is still slightly young and could use a bit more time to round out the tannins, but I enjoyed it overall.

Black cherry, blackberry, and smoke with a surprising amount of tannin and good acidity. The 2019 is still slightly young and could use a bit more time to round out the tannins, but I enjoyed it overall.

Aug 28th, 2022
Adriana Fabbro

Picture is of 2019 but we actually had 12, which is in a good place right now.

Mayacamas consistently makes one of my favorite Merlots.

Those intense mountain tannins (yes, even for Merlot!!!) have mellowed out. Such vibrant and pure fruit (dark cherry) balanced by dried herb/balsamic/meaty qualities that are just starting to develop along with a pleasant, fragrant cedar/resin /piney note.

So. Much. Acid.

Picture is of 2019 but we actually had 12, which is in a good place right now.

Mayacamas consistently makes one of my favorite Merlots.

Those intense mountain tannins (yes, even for Merlot!!!) have mellowed out. Such vibrant and pure fruit (dark cherry) balanced by dried herb/balsamic/meaty qualities that are just starting to develop along with a pleasant, fragrant cedar/resin /piney note.

So. Much. Acid.

Jun 14th, 2022
Nick Piccone

Super well balanced old school wine - not too oaky, good acidity - notes of cherries, raspberries, vanilla, and clove

Super well balanced old school wine - not too oaky, good acidity - notes of cherries, raspberries, vanilla, and clove

Jun 6th, 2019
Lucy Huffman

Great reminder of the power of merlot. Lots blinded this as amarone or cab. Rich, deep, swampy black and red fruit, gorgeous tannin and able to age at least another 5 years.

Great reminder of the power of merlot. Lots blinded this as amarone or cab. Rich, deep, swampy black and red fruit, gorgeous tannin and able to age at least another 5 years.

Feb 2nd, 2016