Domaine Rogue Merlot Applegate Valley 2021
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red berries, dried herbs, and baking spices with supporting notes of red plum, lavender, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of red cherry, boysenberry, mineral, and oak. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $38 – 4.5 Stars – 95 points
Chasing Rain Merlot Red Mountain 2019
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry and red currant with supporting notes of cocoa, vanilla, and star anise. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, plum, mineral, and sour cherry. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a chewy texture. $25 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Markham Merlot Napa Valley 2018
Brilliant, deep crimson color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry, hibiscus flower, and raspberry with supporting notes of wild blueberry and baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, cocoa nibs, violet, and red currant jam. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with an opulent texture. Made with a blend of 87% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Syrah, and 2% Syrah. Merlot is the star but the supporting grapes add so many layers and deep intrigue. $17.99 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Bogle Merlot California 2016
Brilliant, deep garnet color. The nose is moderately intense offering scents of black cherry and red currant with supporting notes of plum and forest floor. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black fruits and baking spices. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a opulent texture. $10 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Gundlach Bundschu Merlot Sonoma Valley 2014
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black cherry, violet, and plum with supporting notes of blackberry, five spice, and tapenade. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of crushed berries and earth. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Medium to full-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $35 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Be Bordo Le Fruity Red Bordeaux 2014
Lively, ruby red color. The nose is filled with scents of red cherries and plum supported by accents of mint, earth, and oak. The palate echoes the nose with a dry fruit core flanked by subtle spice and earth notes and finishing with a dense mineral note. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a fresh dose of acidity and moderate tannins. $11.99 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Falesco Montiano Merlot Lazio IGP 2012
Deep ruby to garnet red color. The nose is complex and expressive with dense black cherry and black berry notes supported by an exotic brown baking spice mélange, dark chocolate, and sexy oak accents. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush and dense fruit core with spice, oak, and subtle earth notes perfectly woven into the fabric. Full-bodied with the kind of power, grace, and balance found only in top class wines. Made with 100% Merlot. $50 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Barlow Merlot Calistoga, Napa Valley 2012
Deep, dense purple color. The nose is absolutely beautiful offering up scents of ripe raspberry and red cherry with generous accents of vanilla, wild strawberries, currants, and sweet oak. The palate echoes the nose giving waves of flavors of ripe fruit with semi-tart berry nuance, allspice, vanilla bean, cocoa nibs, and oak. This beautiful Merlot is medium to full-bodied and perfectly proportioned with silky layers of fruit and soft, chewy tannins. $35 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Cornerstone Cellars Oakville Station Merlot Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics are incredibly deep with layers of red and black cherry with hints of raspberry, blackberry, plum, cocoa nibs, allspice, anise, vanilla bean accented toasted oak, herbes de Provence, and black pepper. The palate is equal to the nose delivering an impossibly complex array of berry fruits with spice, earth, oak, and more subtle nuances than can be documented here. Full-bodied and wonderfully structured and silky with countless layers and perfectly integrated tannins. $75 – 5 Stars – 100 points
Donati Family Vineyard Merlot Paicines 2012
Deep, dark garnet red color with hints of ruby. Dense, ripe red and black cherries take the lead with a generous dose of brown baking spices in support. The palate echoes the nose with tart cherries supporting the ripe fruit, notes of wet earth, mineral, toasted oak. and hints of black pepper. This is a big and bold wine with great balance as well offering a bright dose of acidity and soft tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
