Stags Leap Napa Merlot

With freshness exhibiting its southern Napa origins, the 2020 Merlot exhibits expressive aromas and flavors, with notes of ripe black cherry, red currant, and black plum, commingling alongside spiced notes of cinnamon, clove, Madagascar vanilla, and caramel, a nod to the delicately interwoven oak aging. Lively, lifted chaparral notes of lavender, fresh mint, and sage, dance alongside the riper tones of blueberry preserves and bittersweet dark chocolate, while hints of anise and black tea add savory complexity. Creamy and round, with a backbone of fresh acidity. These elements salute the tannin profile which is polished and firm, adding richness and balance. This Merlot finishes with depth and nuance, demonstrating the grace and finesse of this sumptuous Merlot.92pts James Suckling- A merlot with chocolate, black olive, and walnut aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and layered. Chewy tannins. Juicy at the same time. Give it two or three years to soften.90pts Wine Advocate- The untrendiness of Merlot is really reflected by this wine. With only one-third as many cases produced as the Cabernet Sauvignon and a higher proportion of new French oak (38% versus 27%), the 2020 Merlot sells for just two-thirds the price. Yet it's a solid effort, with classy hints of pencil shavings framing black cherry fruit. Juicy, fun, and easy to drink, it's medium to full-bodied and velvety-textured, with ample length on the finish.