Swanson Vineyards

Oakville Merlot

8.8147 ratings
8.834 pro ratings
Oakville, 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
Erin Crain

Velvety, nice mouthfeel, not a lot of fruit #merlot #napavalley

Velvety, nice mouthfeel, not a lot of fruit #merlot #napavalley

1 person found it helpfulMay 8th, 2014
Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.1

Gorgeous mouth feel. Quite seamless and velvety. Some subtle vanilla. Tannins present but not prevalent, maybe medium+. Generous fruit and cranberry. Pretty stunning Merlot...been a long time since I've had a merlot quite as nuanced and well-constructed as this.

Gorgeous mouth feel. Quite seamless and velvety. Some subtle vanilla. Tannins present but not prevalent, maybe medium+. Generous fruit and cranberry. Pretty stunning Merlot...been a long time since I've had a merlot quite as nuanced and well-constructed as this.

May 26th, 2017
Jordan Gianelli

Cab drinkers Merlot for sure. Full, pleasing and round, this wine begs to be consumed l. The first sip was as pleasing as the last. Smooth drinking and soft without being wimpy or devoid of character.

Cab drinkers Merlot for sure. Full, pleasing and round, this wine begs to be consumed l. The first sip was as pleasing as the last. Smooth drinking and soft without being wimpy or devoid of character.

Aug 19th, 2016
Scott Cunningham

Owner/Importer Bottleneck Wines

8.5

2002v. Surprisingly time in the bottle did not improve one of my favorite Merlot's from Napa. It's still passable but no longer has the depth it once had.

2002v. Surprisingly time in the bottle did not improve one of my favorite Merlot's from Napa. It's still passable but no longer has the depth it once had.

Aug 1st, 2016
Jordan Gianelli

Fuller side of medium bodied, dark fruits are calmed and balanced with a long, lean finish of new and used oak that have tapered nicely from the mid palate to the back. Drinking stupidly well.

Fuller side of medium bodied, dark fruits are calmed and balanced with a long, lean finish of new and used oak that have tapered nicely from the mid palate to the back. Drinking stupidly well.

Nov 23rd, 2015
Sean Razee

Master Sommelier

8.2

In half-bottle. The wine is past its prime. In its prime, this was a solid effort from Swanson.

In half-bottle. The wine is past its prime. In its prime, this was a solid effort from Swanson.

Nov 26th, 2014
Jonathan Cristaldi

Writer First We Feast, LA Magazine, SOMM Journal

9.3

This was the steak wine. Round, silky, with robust dark berry notes -- a wine to gulp.

This was the steak wine. Round, silky, with robust dark berry notes -- a wine to gulp.

Oct 12th, 2014
Stacy Markow

Aromas of menthol, blackberry jam and spice. Noticeable tannin for a merlot.

Aromas of menthol, blackberry jam and spice. Noticeable tannin for a merlot.

Oct 5th, 2014
Autumn Anderson

Delicious little half bottle, perfect for night-before-race carb loaded lasagna dinner!

Delicious little half bottle, perfect for night-before-race carb loaded lasagna dinner!

Apr 26th, 2014
Kevin Walsh

Wine blogger doxologywine.com; Freelance Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers) Doxology Wine Consulting

8.5

2010 merlot. Very ripe and a significant, but pleasing influence of oak. Round and soft in the mouth.

2010 merlot. Very ripe and a significant, but pleasing influence of oak. Round and soft in the mouth.

Mar 20th, 2014