Accolade(s)
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Vineyards
Block 4 Merlot was the first
fruit to kick off our 2016 harvest and what a great start to the vintage! From
the beginning of fermentation all the way to final blending, we knew we had
something wonderful. Our final Best Barrels cuvée welcomed 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
and 3% Petit Verdot to complete the ensemble, producing a Merlot of great
intrigue and complexity.
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Merlot is all too often thought
of as secondary to Cabernet Sauvignon, but that is a misconception of the
grape. Indeed, Merlot makes up the backbone of some of the most sought-after
wines in the world. An alluring bright ruby in hue, our 2016 Best Barrels
Merlot makes a serious aromatic statement featuring ripe cherries dusted in
cocoa powder along with hints of grilled bread and oh-so-subtle caramel. The
palate follows through with delicious red cherry, fresh plum, plus a
combination of milk and dark chocolate finished off by a splash of cloves.
Delicious already, this Merlot will age beautifully for 15-20 years.
Food Affinities
Merlot will typically pair well
with anything you might enjoy with a good Cab, then happily broaden the
invitation to include roasted fowls, Italian sausage, spaghetti and meatballs
in red sauce and savory beef stews. To enhance the best this high-end Merlot
has to offer, keep sauces less complicated and focus on fresh ingredients like
mushrooms, truffles and fruit accents such as cherries or apricots.
Ageability
This Merlot will please many soon out of the gate. But a
modicum of patience is recommended to enjoy it at its very best. Prime drinking
should begin in 2020, followed by a wonderful evolution in your cellar for
another 15-20 years.
