Swanson Vineyards
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
Blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits and toasty herb floral spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blueberry with vanilla spice, espresso, leather and toasty herb notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with toasty earthy mineral spice character.
Blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits and toasty herb floral spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blueberry with vanilla spice, espresso, leather and toasty herb notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with toasty earthy mineral spice character.
Mar 3rd, 2023
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.
Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.
Strong nose of blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light alcohol, vanilla, spices and black pepper.
Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, oak, tobacco, licorice, earth, coffee, dark chocolates, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Long finish with grippy tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Napa Merlot. Still young but already enjoyable even by itself. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle and gets better with airtime. I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter.
Still young and would be better in a few years.
I had the 2012 a few years ago, but did not enjoy it as much. Glad to see that this vintage is delicious.
A blend of Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aged for 17 months in French and American oak barrels.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$35.
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.
Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.
Strong nose of blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light alcohol, vanilla, spices and black pepper.
Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, oak, tobacco, licorice, earth, coffee, dark chocolates, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Long finish with grippy tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Napa Merlot. Still young but already enjoyable even by itself. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle and gets better with airtime. I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter.
Still young and would be better in a few years.
I had the 2012 a few years ago, but did not enjoy it as much. Glad to see that this vintage is delicious.
A blend of Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aged for 17 months in French and American oak barrels.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$35.
Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.
I guessed domestic merlot between 2012-2014 from Napa. Very classic merlot. Ripe red and black fruits on the nose, slightly floral on the palate, as well as cedar wood, with good acidity. Thanks @Andrew Heffley
Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.
I guessed domestic merlot between 2012-2014 from Napa. Very classic merlot. Ripe red and black fruits on the nose, slightly floral on the palate, as well as cedar wood, with good acidity. Thanks @Andrew Heffley
Good stuff. They always make this right.
Good stuff. They always make this right.
1 person found it helpfulDec 11th, 2017
Ripe red cherry fruit and vanilla dominate it's more subtle complexities. More structured than expected.
Ripe red cherry fruit and vanilla dominate it's more subtle complexities. More structured than expected.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 23rd, 2016
Fresh plum, wild berries, very soft tannins. A little lighter than expected, lacking complexity. Probably due to 2011 vintage
Fresh plum, wild berries, very soft tannins. A little lighter than expected, lacking complexity. Probably due to 2011 vintage
1 person found it helpfulJun 26th, 2015A stand out for Napa Valley Merlot. Pleasant fresh tannins, pleasant warm lactones from the barrel. Bright fruit.
A stand out for Napa Valley Merlot. Pleasant fresh tannins, pleasant warm lactones from the barrel. Bright fruit.
1 person found it helpfulMay 25th, 2015Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.
Beautiful nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, earth, leather, barnyard, green pepper, mocha, tobacco, pencil lead, vinegrete, spices and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body, and smooth, with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, vanilla, cedar, vegetables, licorice, tar, bitter herbs, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tart cherries.
This Napa Valley Merlot is drinking nicely now, with nice balance and mature complexity.
Not my style, but drinkable by itself with a nice mouthfeel.
A good quality red, that pairs nicely with BBQ Meats.
Needs 60 minutes of airtime to open up properly.
Robert Parker 92 points. Not there for me.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.
Beautiful nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, earth, leather, barnyard, green pepper, mocha, tobacco, pencil lead, vinegrete, spices and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body, and smooth, with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, vanilla, cedar, vegetables, licorice, tar, bitter herbs, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tart cherries.
This Napa Valley Merlot is drinking nicely now, with nice balance and mature complexity.
Not my style, but drinkable by itself with a nice mouthfeel.
A good quality red, that pairs nicely with BBQ Meats.
Needs 60 minutes of airtime to open up properly.
Robert Parker 92 points. Not there for me.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
Well balanced, with ripe fruit (not jammy), soft tannins, and a twist of red licorice.
Well balanced, with ripe fruit (not jammy), soft tannins, and a twist of red licorice.
Jul 21st, 2016