Pride Mountain Vineyards
Napa County Merlot
Napa County, North Coast, California, USA
Stellar Merlot. Complex yet approachable, with a fleshy mouthfeel that doesn’t get flabby. Long, smooth finish.
Stellar Merlot. Complex yet approachable, with a fleshy mouthfeel that doesn’t get flabby. Long, smooth finish.
Feb 23rd, 2018
Great nose, but needed a little time to open in glass. Spreads across the palate and culminates with a long finish.
Great nose, but needed a little time to open in glass. Spreads across the palate and culminates with a long finish.
Apr 5th, 2015
Has put on some weight since last tried.
Has put on some weight since last tried.
Mar 19th, 2015
Price unfriendly...
Price unfriendly...
Jan 27th, 2015
Who says 2011 isn't good? This is good! Young and needs time but will turn heads
Who says 2011 isn't good? This is good! Young and needs time but will turn heads
Nov 17th, 2014One of the best Merlots made in California
One of the best Merlots made in California
Oct 3rd, 2014Vertical from 2011-2013. PNP. Was a lot a fun to do. From the cool and wet '11 to the hot and dry '13. The '12 was the most dry off the three, but also seemed a bit closed off compared to the others. They 2011 is clearly a Merlot. The 2013 could easily be confused for a cab. After some air the 12 opened up and is quite nice. That's not fair to the others, all are very good, but the 12 benefited from some breathing while the others were good to go out of the gate.
Vertical from 2011-2013. PNP. Was a lot a fun to do. From the cool and wet '11 to the hot and dry '13. The '12 was the most dry off the three, but also seemed a bit closed off compared to the others. They 2011 is clearly a Merlot. The 2013 could easily be confused for a cab. After some air the 12 opened up and is quite nice. That's not fair to the others, all are very good, but the 12 benefited from some breathing while the others were good to go out of the gate.
Jun 13th, 2020
Framboise and a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Well balanced - the tannins are in synch with the purple fruits here. Plum,
cassis and just a touch of bell pepper on the palate with a fairly long finish. Very good (especially for a 2011). I don’t think it will improve much from here but in a very good place now.
Framboise and a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Well balanced - the tannins are in synch with the purple fruits here. Plum,
cassis and just a touch of bell pepper on the palate with a fairly long finish. Very good (especially for a 2011). I don’t think it will improve much from here but in a very good place now.
Not as rich as the other vintages I’ve tasted, this 2011 bottling showoffs its fruity and fresh side. Plum, raspberry jam, cherry, cassis, graphite, and hint of chocolate and smoke. Palate was fresh and lively, with round acidity that had a minty feel.
This is delicious, but lacking a bit complexity that I’ve come to expect from this Merlot. I probably did not do it justice by decanting it for only about 30 minutes, because the guests could not wait.
Not as rich as the other vintages I’ve tasted, this 2011 bottling showoffs its fruity and fresh side. Plum, raspberry jam, cherry, cassis, graphite, and hint of chocolate and smoke. Palate was fresh and lively, with round acidity that had a minty feel.
This is delicious, but lacking a bit complexity that I’ve come to expect from this Merlot. I probably did not do it justice by decanting it for only about 30 minutes, because the guests could not wait.