2021 Stags' Leap Winery Merlot Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes:  This Merlot is fresh and pure, offering a captivating bouquet of dark cherry, red berries, and perfumed rose petals intertwined with subtle baking spiced notes of cedar and clove from the well-integrated oak. On the palate, rustic yet refined tannins provide a medium body and crunchy mouth-pleasing texture, with layered flavors of black cherry, red raspberry, tobacco leaf, and rooibos tea amid a backdrop of juicy, mouthwatering acidity and a hint of tartness reminiscent of cherries jubilee. The long and savory finish has hints of sagebrush, bittersweet dark chocolate, and earthy minerality, demonstrating a harmonious balance of tension and grace—a truly beautiful and complex expression of Napa Valley Merlot.

Blend: 99% Merlot, 1% Malbec

Established in 1893, Stags’ Leap Winery is one of the oldest wine estates within the acclaimed Stags Leap District, producing wines expressive of its unique terroir. With an enduring winemaking philosophy that honors traditional techniques while embracing modern capabilities, and by using the finest grapes from their own 80-acre vineyard and from quality-focused growers, Stags’ Leap wines embody a natural balance, exhibiting both intensity and finesse, while bringing forth the inherent qualities of each variety.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "Plenty of perfumed plum and lightly candied dark fruit as well as orange peel. Hints of dark chocolate. Medium to full body, juicy, zesty and vivd in the finish. So drinkable with lots of finesse. Gorgeous. Drink now or hold."


Wine Enthusiast - "Juicy red and black fruits sprinkled with cinnamon build concentrated flavor, with a structure of open weave. This wine is persistent and generous through a long, warming finish. "