Sterling Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

8.8285 ratings
9.022 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot
Top Notes For
Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

Getting pretty tired.

Getting pretty tired.

May 5th, 2021
Brent S

A steal

A steal

Feb 11th, 2020
Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

8.8

Now fully mature - perhaps past it’s best but still vibrant, deep plum, sweet pipe tobacco notes, coffee beans, vaguely oxidized in a positive way. Soft impact in the mouth, relaxed tannins, very drinkable

Now fully mature - perhaps past it’s best but still vibrant, deep plum, sweet pipe tobacco notes, coffee beans, vaguely oxidized in a positive way. Soft impact in the mouth, relaxed tannins, very drinkable

Aug 7th, 2019
"Odedi"

It's time for #MerlotThursday isn't it? 😊

This Napa Merlot is always dependable. Still drinking nicely, especially with the charcuterie board I paired it with.

Showing black fruits with light cedar, chocolates and light earth notes.

Medium plus in body with mediqum acidity and nice legs. A very enjoyable mouthfeel with nice complexity and a tangy finish.

Benefits from 30 minutes of airtime, but good right out of the bottle, if you are in a hurry πŸ˜ƒ

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

It's time for #MerlotThursday isn't it? 😊

This Napa Merlot is always dependable. Still drinking nicely, especially with the charcuterie board I paired it with.

Showing black fruits with light cedar, chocolates and light earth notes.

Medium plus in body with mediqum acidity and nice legs. A very enjoyable mouthfeel with nice complexity and a tangy finish.

Benefits from 30 minutes of airtime, but good right out of the bottle, if you are in a hurry πŸ˜ƒ

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

Feb 28th, 2019
"Odedi"

It's time for #MerlotThursday!

Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, toast, licorice, vanilla, cedar, mocha, coffee, chocolates, spices and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, cherries, raspberries, wood, licorice, vanilla, earth, spices, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Napa Merlot is always enjoyable. Well balanced with mild complexity and a nice tangy finish. Lately, I'm really into Napa Merlots.

Good right out of the bottle and gets better in 30 minutes. Peeking now.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers, and will pair very nicely with BBQ Meats as well.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

It's time for #MerlotThursday!

Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, toast, licorice, vanilla, cedar, mocha, coffee, chocolates, spices and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, cherries, raspberries, wood, licorice, vanilla, earth, spices, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Napa Merlot is always enjoyable. Well balanced with mild complexity and a nice tangy finish. Lately, I'm really into Napa Merlots.

Good right out of the bottle and gets better in 30 minutes. Peeking now.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers, and will pair very nicely with BBQ Meats as well.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

May 3rd, 2018
"Odedi"

Merlot Thursday is up! Last week was the 2013, this time the 2014 Napa Merlot.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish wide rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, cherries, blueberries, cedar, leather, earth, alcohol, vegetables, vanilla, chocolates, dark coffee, spices and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, currants, raspberries, cedar, leather, licorice, cloves, vanilla, spices, alcohol, espresso, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a very nice Merlot from Napa Valley. Well-balanced with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel, but still a little hot.

Needs 30 minutes to open up properly and show some tannins.

A good food wine that pairs well with BBQ Meats. This 4 year old is very enjoyable, even by itself as a sipping wine. Drink now.

I paired it with a BBQ steak and steamed broccoli.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

Merlot Thursday is up! Last week was the 2013, this time the 2014 Napa Merlot.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish wide rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, cherries, blueberries, cedar, leather, earth, alcohol, vegetables, vanilla, chocolates, dark coffee, spices and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, currants, raspberries, cedar, leather, licorice, cloves, vanilla, spices, alcohol, espresso, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a very nice Merlot from Napa Valley. Well-balanced with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel, but still a little hot.

Needs 30 minutes to open up properly and show some tannins.

A good food wine that pairs well with BBQ Meats. This 4 year old is very enjoyable, even by itself as a sipping wine. Drink now.

I paired it with a BBQ steak and steamed broccoli.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

Mar 9th, 2018
"Odedi"

Oh, yeah! it's Merlot Thursday! A Napa Merlot will do the trick...

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, raisins, vinaigrette, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, cola, light vegetables, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, mint, earth, chocolates, coffee and caramel.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity with blackberries, sweet plums, blueberry pie, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, graphite, peppercorn, vinaigrette, leather, tobacco, earth, light vegetables, coffee and mocha.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This Napa Merlot is a great wine. Well balanced with mild complexity. The mouthfeel is a bit disappointing as it is weaker than I expected. Showing lots of chocolate, cola and coffee notes. A teeth staining wine. Rich, extracted and jammy.

This 5 year old is peaking now and it won't last long, so drink it now if you have any.

Good right out of the bottle, but needed 30 minutes in a decanter to open up properly and show some tannins.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$20.

Oh, yeah! it's Merlot Thursday! A Napa Merlot will do the trick...

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, raisins, vinaigrette, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, cola, light vegetables, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, mint, earth, chocolates, coffee and caramel.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity with blackberries, sweet plums, blueberry pie, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, graphite, peppercorn, vinaigrette, leather, tobacco, earth, light vegetables, coffee and mocha.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This Napa Merlot is a great wine. Well balanced with mild complexity. The mouthfeel is a bit disappointing as it is weaker than I expected. Showing lots of chocolate, cola and coffee notes. A teeth staining wine. Rich, extracted and jammy.

This 5 year old is peaking now and it won't last long, so drink it now if you have any.

Good right out of the bottle, but needed 30 minutes in a decanter to open up properly and show some tannins.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$20.

Mar 1st, 2018
"Odedi"

Dark ruby in color with a short purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, licorice, cedar, cloves, tobacco, milk chocolates, mocha, coffee, black pepper, spices and diet coke.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cedar, vanilla leather, spices, tobacco, chocolates, light vegetables, mocha, coke, dark coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with very soft tannins and spices.

This is a nice Merlot from Napa Valley. Well-balanced and not very complex. Enjoyable by itself or with food.

I actually expected more from it, as to tannins and mouthfeel, but it was very easy to drink. A good party wine and very tasty.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up. Very easy drinking for all that alcohol, so watch out...

I paired it with a charcuterie board of Meats and cheeses.

14.5% alcohol by volume.



$17.

Dark ruby in color with a short purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, licorice, cedar, cloves, tobacco, milk chocolates, mocha, coffee, black pepper, spices and diet coke.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cedar, vanilla leather, spices, tobacco, chocolates, light vegetables, mocha, coke, dark coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with very soft tannins and spices.

This is a nice Merlot from Napa Valley. Well-balanced and not very complex. Enjoyable by itself or with food.

I actually expected more from it, as to tannins and mouthfeel, but it was very easy to drink. A good party wine and very tasty.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up. Very easy drinking for all that alcohol, so watch out...

I paired it with a charcuterie board of Meats and cheeses.

14.5% alcohol by volume.



$17.

Jan 7th, 2018
Daniel Iniguez

Carolyn gave me the bottle to drink. Her and Joleen didn't like it. It was pretty damn good.

Carolyn gave me the bottle to drink. Her and Joleen didn't like it. It was pretty damn good.

2 people found it helpfulMar 28th, 2016
"Odedi"

It’s #MerlotThursday! Here's a nice one from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, blackberries, light vegetables, black cherries, currants, oak, light vanilla, licorice, cedar, spices, earth, leather, chocolates, mocha, coffee, black pepper and pencil lead.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, leather, chocolates, vegetables, vinaigrette, licorice, spices, tobacco, diet cola, light bell pepper, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Napa Merlot is still drinking nicely, but it's on the way out.
Showing great complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself and good with food. Good right out of the bottle and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

Was better a year ago. Showing much more vegetables than last year, both on the nose and palate.

Very easy drinking, so watch out ...πŸ˜ƒ

I paired it with a few different soft and hard cheeses, but the Brie cheese really went well with all those green vegetables.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$15.

It’s #MerlotThursday! Here's a nice one from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, blackberries, light vegetables, black cherries, currants, oak, light vanilla, licorice, cedar, spices, earth, leather, chocolates, mocha, coffee, black pepper and pencil lead.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, leather, chocolates, vegetables, vinaigrette, licorice, spices, tobacco, diet cola, light bell pepper, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Napa Merlot is still drinking nicely, but it's on the way out.
Showing great complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself and good with food. Good right out of the bottle and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

Was better a year ago. Showing much more vegetables than last year, both on the nose and palate.

Very easy drinking, so watch out ...πŸ˜ƒ

I paired it with a few different soft and hard cheeses, but the Brie cheese really went well with all those green vegetables.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$15.

1 person found it helpfulNov 22nd, 2018