2022 Napa Valley Merlot
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Tasting notes
A blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc from higher elevations on Spring Mountain, the 2022 Merlot reveals red and black fruits, chocolate, spicy oak, and violet notes. Medium-bodied, round, and supple on the palate, this charming, balanced effort will drink nicely for 4-6 years.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bottled just a month prior to my August visit, the 2022 Merlot is largely estate fruit, but it also includes some purchased fruit from the York Creek Vineyard. A steady, reliable bottling, this vintage continues the tradition, offering menthol and sage-inflected black cherries on the nose. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied and supple, finishing long and velvety. Despite the suppleness, there's enough concentration and structure to warrant cellaring for up to a decade.