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SKU 996362
$793.98/case
$132.33/bottle
Tariffs included
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Aromas of spices, such as cloves, dark berries and some herbs. Full-bodied and layered with chewy tannins and a savory finish. Juicy and flavorful. Drink after 2024.
With its dark blue colored fruits and high juice content, Merlot varietal grapes have long been a favorite of wine producers around the globe, with it being found in vineyards across Europe, the Americas and elsewhere in the New World. One of the distinguishing features of Merlot grapes is the fact that they have a relatively low tannin content and an exceptionally soft and fleshy character, meaning they are capable of producing incredibly rounded and mellow wines. This mellowness is balanced with plenty of flavor, however, and has made Merlot grapes the varietal of choice for softening other, more astringent and tannin-heavy wines, often resulting in truly exceptional produce. Merlot is regarded as one of the key 'Bordeaux' varietals for precisely this reason; when combined with the drier Cabernet Sauvignon, it is capable of blending beautifully to produce some of the finest wines available in the world.
Country
United States
Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.
Region
California
California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.
Appellation
Napa Valley
When it comes to New World wines, and especially wines from the United States of America, Napa Valley is something of a standard bearer. Over its relatively short history, it has managed to transform itself from being a fairly insignificant region, to becoming one of the most important and highly regarding wine locations on earth. With an ideal climate for viticulture, blazing sunshine and a low level of rainfall, this valley is shielded on many sides by mountain ranges which help it maintain a consistent level of heat, light and moisture throughout the year. Today, Napa Valley is a home of innovation and quality, with dozens of grape varietals thriving in the fertile soils. However, the main varietals grown there have always been Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Zinfandel, and the wines they produce are constantly lauded by critics and competitions across the globe.
JS95pts
James Suckling
Aromas of spices, such as cloves, dark berries and some herbs. Full-bodied and layered with chewy tannins and a savory finish. Juicy and flavorful. Drink after 2024.
JD95pts
Jeb Dunnuck
Pretty, exotic candied orange and floral notes emerge from the 2018 Merlot, which is medium to full-bodied and has a juicy, elegant texture, moderate, nicely integrated tannins, and just a charming, undeniably delicious style. It builds nicely with time in the glass and shows the more pure, elegant, seamless profile of the vintage yet still brings plenty of fruit. It’s ideal for enjoying over the coming decade.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
Made from 100% Merlot, the 2018 Merlot Mt. Veeder was aged for 22 months in oak, 80% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with notions of stewed plums, baked blackberries and sautéed herbs plus hints of beef drippings, cloves and pencil lead. Full-bodied, plush and decently generous, the finish delivers compelling black fruit layers with loads of freshness. 482 cases were made.
WE94pts
Wine Enthusiast
Thick and richly layered, this wine is savory in tobacco, sage and plenty of grippy tannin, the fruit nuanced in dark plum and currant. Tobacco, black pepper and wild game nip at the edges, adding to the complexity and intrigue.
WS93pts
Wine Spectator
Tightly wound, pure and minerally, this is packed with vibrant, fine-textured dried red fruit and berry flavors. Forest floor notes lingers on the direct and powerfully structured finish. Drink now through 2026. 482 cases made.
VM92pts
Vinous Media
The 2018 Merlot is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and licorice ride a wave of huge tannins. The Merlot has a lot of character, but it is a mountain wine, and needs time to fully come together.
Winery Notes
Grown in a vineyard block surrounded by dense forest, this Merlot truly reflects the terroir of Mt. Veeder. Both rich and delicate, the wine displays aromas of blackberry, rose petal and graphite. Balanced acidity gives the Merlot a nice pop, prolonging the intensely flavorful finish.
