Switchback Ridge

Peterson Family Vineyard Merlot

9.335 ratings
9.47 pro ratings
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
Mike R
9.4

Typical Napa merlot made up of 90/10 merlot and cab - Power and finesse creating a nice balance - taste of dark cherries, blackberry compote and exotic spice. Juicy, ripe and lush on the palate, framed by supple tannins with a long elegant finish with chocolate and vanilla bean noticeable - Foley is winemaker - No one will be disappointed as this is dense purple color with a merlot luscious, full, pedal-to-the-medal but only has imo five years left and this is definitely in the drinking zone now

Typical Napa merlot made up of 90/10 merlot and cab - Power and finesse creating a nice balance - taste of dark cherries, blackberry compote and exotic spice. Juicy, ripe and lush on the palate, framed by supple tannins with a long elegant finish with chocolate and vanilla bean noticeable - Foley is winemaker - No one will be disappointed as this is dense purple color with a merlot luscious, full, pedal-to-the-medal but only has imo five years left and this is definitely in the drinking zone now

Jul 10th, 2019
Brett Pinkin

Best merlot that has ever crossed my lips.

Best merlot that has ever crossed my lips.

Nov 18th, 2017
Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.5

I may be biased because we sell it, but this is the greatest Merlot that Napa Valley has ever produced. It's that good. Don't believe me? Fine. Robert Parker gave it 95 pts and said it's "about as good as this varietal can be in the Napa Valley." Believe me now?!?

I may be biased because we sell it, but this is the greatest Merlot that Napa Valley has ever produced. It's that good. Don't believe me? Fine. Robert Parker gave it 95 pts and said it's "about as good as this varietal can be in the Napa Valley." Believe me now?!?

Jul 22nd, 2017
Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.4

That. Masters. Tournament. Wow!

That. Masters. Tournament. Wow!

Apr 11th, 2016
Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.4

One of my favorite producers. Sweet and spicy and dark and mysterious. A serious merlot.

One of my favorite producers. Sweet and spicy and dark and mysterious. A serious merlot.

Nov 27th, 2015
Betsy Schermer

Congrats @Greg Minucci our blind tasting winner!

Congrats @Greg Minucci our blind tasting winner!

Dec 9th, 2018
Jody Scharf

Raspberries, aged like me not to young not to old. Jammy raisins. Mature also not like me.

Raspberries, aged like me not to young not to old. Jammy raisins. Mature also not like me.

Sep 8th, 2018
.
9.3

Really good Merlot. This is lush and rich on opening, but not at all over the top. With extended air, the 10% Cab Sauv is more noticeable and the wine shows more of its underlying structured. Love it.

Really good Merlot. This is lush and rich on opening, but not at all over the top. With extended air, the 10% Cab Sauv is more noticeable and the wine shows more of its underlying structured. Love it.

Dec 31st, 2017
Norman Gennaro

We pulled a Bond, Lynch, Bremmer and Frank but did not get photos. The Bond might have been the best but this once it opened up was great.

We pulled a Bond, Lynch, Bremmer and Frank but did not get photos. The Bond might have been the best but this once it opened up was great.

Dec 26th, 2017
Jason and Jennie

Red fruit. Herbal. Little funk. This is a great merlot.

Red fruit. Herbal. Little funk. This is a great merlot.

Feb 5th, 2017