2017 Napa Valley Merlot
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Merlot is a solid effort, offering pretty notes of black cherries, black tea, leafy herbs, and chocolate. Medium-bodied, with nicely integrated acidity and light tannins, it's well-made, balanced, and already delicious. Drink it over the coming decade.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Merlot is soft, racy and impeccably balanced. To be sure, in 2017 the Merlot is a bit smaller-scaled than it can be, and yet all the elements meld together effortlessly. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and licorice are some of the many notes that are laced together in this delicious and inviting Merlot from Barnett.
Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Merlot reveals expressive plum preserves, baked black berries, prunes and spice cake scents with a waft of bouquet garni. The palate is full, firm and chewy, with a racy line of freshness and rather rustic finish.