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Wine Spots Napa Valley Merlot
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Merlot

Napa Valley

2023

Wine Spots Napa Valley Merlot is an elegant wine. Dark fruit aromas of blackberry and plum are accented by hints of vanilla and fine herbs. The dark red fruit notes are carried onto a lush palate with hints of toasty oak. French oak aging in small barrels lends to the fine-grained tannins and lingering finish. This is a classic example of Napa Merlot.

Napa Valley

Napa Valley is one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Small in size, Napa Valley is diverse, comprised of 14 sub-appellations, each with their own unique soils, micro-climates, and terrain. This offers ideal conditions for growing a range of grape varietals. The intimate connection between terroir and vine is expressed in the wines and their distinctive styles. Napa Valley is ideal for growing Merlot, yielding a wine of elegance and velvety texture.

Food Pairings

Enjoy with poultry, red meat, grilled salmon, duck, seared tuna, mushroom dishes.

Accolades

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90 points, Gold Medal - Sommelier Challenge

90 points, Gold Medal

- Sommelier Challenge, 2024 - 2022 vintage
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90 points, gold medal - San Diego Wine Competition

90 points, Gold Medal

- San Diego Wine Competition, 2024 - 2022 vintage
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92 points, gold medal - Critics Challenge

92 points, Gold Medal

- Critics Challenge - 2017 vintage
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94 points, Platinum Medal, San Diego Wine Competition

94 points, Platinum Medal

- San Diego Wine Competition - 2015 vintage
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92 points, Rich Cook, Wine Review Online

92 points

Merlot finds a great spot in Napa Valley, and this wine brings the goods at a nice price for the region. Juicy red fruit and fall spice aromas and flavors are perfectly ripe, and supple grip extends the finish, where the fruit and spice meld with good push and mouth watering acidity. It’s perfect for a grilled t-bone dinner.
- Rich Cook, Wine Review Online - 2015 vintage
93 Points, Gold Medal, Beverage Testing Institute

93 points, Gold Medal, Cellar Selection

Ruby color. Oaky, elegant aromas of polished fine furniture, ripe forest berries, curaçao oranges, and white peppercorns with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and an effortless, involved, medium-long cranberry relish, walnut, and blackberry finish with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak. A rich and dry, sophisticated Merlot full of exquisite oak.
- Beverage Testing Institute - 2014 vintage
90 Points, Gold Medal, Beverage Testing Institute

90 points, Gold Medal

Ruby color. Aromas and flavors of cherry pie, toffee, and toasted meringue with a silky, tangy, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, charming finish with notes of plum, delicate spice, pepper, and cedar with chewy tannins and light oak. A tasty, juicy, spot-on merlot.
- Beverage Testing Institute - 2012 vintage
Wine Spots Napa Valley vineyard

Napa Valley, California

The Napa Valley is widely considered one of the top wine regions in California and the United States. A combination of maritime climate, mountain and valley topography and varying soil conditions combine to offer ideal conditions for growing a broad range of grape varietals. With a history dating back to the nineteenth century and boasting some of the most acclaimed pioneers in New World wine, Napa Valley has garnered the respect and attention of wine critics from around the world