Stags' Leap Winery
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black cherries, plums, currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, herbs and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Very dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, peppercorn, earth, pencil lead, dark chocolates, herbs and light vegetables.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 10 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is delicious. Nicely balanced, fruit forward and rich.
Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.
I had this vintage before, and this time I gave it a long decant (4 hours) to bring the tannins out. What a difference. Really enjoyed it.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with Prime Rib, mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$35.
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black cherries, plums, currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, herbs and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Very dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, peppercorn, earth, pencil lead, dark chocolates, herbs and light vegetables.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 10 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is delicious. Nicely balanced, fruit forward and rich.
Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.
I had this vintage before, and this time I gave it a long decant (4 hours) to bring the tannins out. What a difference. Really enjoyed it.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with Prime Rib, mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$35.
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, alcohol, tobacco, dark chocolates, Sherry liqueur cordials, dark coffee and spices.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, black cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco, herbs, coffee and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy cranberries.
This 9 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is still drinking nicely.
Showing some acetone notes, that might go away with longer decanting, which I did not have the time for.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime. Not as complex as I wanted it to be, but still drinkable.
This 2013 was a great vintage, but it is not showing in this bottle.
Good by itself and better with food. Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak. I paired it with short ribs with polenta.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$28 (current vintage).
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, alcohol, tobacco, dark chocolates, Sherry liqueur cordials, dark coffee and spices.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, black cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco, herbs, coffee and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy cranberries.
This 9 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is still drinking nicely.
Showing some acetone notes, that might go away with longer decanting, which I did not have the time for.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime. Not as complex as I wanted it to be, but still drinkable.
This 2013 was a great vintage, but it is not showing in this bottle.
Good by itself and better with food. Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak. I paired it with short ribs with polenta.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$28 (current vintage).
Delicious. Rating affirmed 3/12/2017.
Delicious. Rating affirmed 3/12/2017.
Sep 6th, 2016
Very smooth, a little bit of smokiness gives it body
Very smooth, a little bit of smokiness gives it body
Jun 15th, 2019
Sweet nose. Almost a cinnamon sweetness. Has a hint of dark plum and bright bing cherry palate. Smooth tannins and a medium finish. This 2013 is drinking well.
Sweet nose. Almost a cinnamon sweetness. Has a hint of dark plum and bright bing cherry palate. Smooth tannins and a medium finish. This 2013 is drinking well.
Sep 6th, 2018
Dry and slightly smokey finish. Uncharacteristic of a merlot.
Dry and slightly smokey finish. Uncharacteristic of a merlot.
Feb 7th, 2018
Intense, rich, dry, tight, nicely balanced tannins, medium body, with nice bite. This seems like an important wine structured to soften and become more lush with age. Seems young.
Intense, rich, dry, tight, nicely balanced tannins, medium body, with nice bite. This seems like an important wine structured to soften and become more lush with age. Seems young.
Mar 16th, 2017
Fruit forward - light on oak, reliable choice for chicken, cold water fish
Fruit forward - light on oak, reliable choice for chicken, cold water fish
Feb 27th, 2017