Press Room

Napa Valley Reserve Merlot Reviews

Score: 92 - Editors' Choice | February 20, 2024 | Wine Enthusiast

Excellent depth, concentrated fruit flavors and a snug wrapping of tannins set this wine up nicely for further improvement with age. A vibrant texture and subtle oak spices in the flavor add to its appeal. Additions of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec totaling 15% enhance complexity and structure. Best from 2026–2033. Editors’ Choice.

Score: 91 | November 1, 2023 | Wine Enthusiast

This is a flavorful, substantive wine. Fully ripe berries and cherries fill up the aroma before a full body, dark chocolate and black cherries take over the palate, backed by moderate tannins.

Score: SILVER | April 25, 2023 | Winemaker Challenge
Score: Gold 90 | June 6, 2023 | Sunset International Wine Competition

Smooth, fruit juicy, tannins tight but will age well.

Score: 98 PTS Best of Class/Double Gold | April 10, 2023 | 2023 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

Black plum, smooth, varietal, velvety tannins, expresso, classic merlot, comfort wine to sip in front of a fireplace.

Score: 92 | October 5, 2022 | James Suckling

Perfumed aromas of sliced plum, rose petal, black and red cherry and gravel. Medium-to full-bodied with a fine, silky texture. A fruity and powerful wine with lovely depth and concentration. Very nice length here. Best after 2024.

Score: 92, Editors' Choice | December 31, 2022 | Wine Enthusiast

Gorgeous fruit flavors and tempting chocolate accents draw you in to this rich, ripe and rounded wine. A full body, good concentration and very smooth tannins keep it palatefriendly. Editors’ Choice. 

Score: 92 | September 21, 2022 | JamesSuckling.com

Perfumed aromas of sliced plum, rose petal, black and red cherry and gravel. Medium-to full-bodied with a fine, silky texture. A fruity and powerful wine with lovely depth and concentration. Very nice length here. Best after 2024.

Score: 91 | June 9, 2022 | 2022 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition
Score: 90 | March 10, 2022 | Jeb Dunnuck

Starting with the 2019 Merlot Napa Valley Reserve, which includes 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, from multiple vineyards, it’s medium to full-bodied, round, and mouth-filling, with a charming, darker fruited, chocolaty style that’s a joy to drink. It should keep for 5-7 years, although there’s no need to delay gratification.

Score: 90 | February 26, 2021 | Wine Advocate

The 2018 Merlot Reserve Napa Valley is a blend of 89% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, coming from seven different vineyards across Napa Valley. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it sings of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves and black raspberries with suggestions of menthol, spice cake and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is seductively plush and juicy and layered with plenty of freshness, finishing with a spicy kick. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Score: 90 | January 1, 2021 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Merlot is a juicy, easygoing wine to drink now and over the next few years. Dark cherry, mocha, chocolate, spice and licorice are nicely woven together in this mid-weight, inviting Merlot from Raymond Vineyards.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 91 | July 4, 2018 | Planet Grape

Rich, round and finely chewy with notes of raspberry, blueberry, green olive, fennel, sandalwood, chai latte and clove. 

Score: Best of Class | July 6, 2018 | International Womens Wine Competition
Score: Gold, 91 Points | April 3, 2018 | San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge
Score: Double Gold | January 14, 2018 | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Score: Silver | November 17, 2017 | Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition
Score: Silver | November 6, 2017 | San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Score: Gold | August 10, 2017 | San Francisco International Wine Competition
Score: 90 | June 1, 2017 | Wine Enthusiast

Soft, supple and structured, this wine is richly crafted in pencil shavings and cedar, with denser, fuller flavors of red cherry and raspberry. With a bite of burly power, it contains 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. 

Score: 90 | October 26, 2016 | The Wine Advocate

The more serious wines start with the 2014 Merlot Reserve, which is 88% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. This spent 18 months in a combination of different French cooperage. Another excellent value – as one doesn’t see many Merlots these days that are both outstanding and priced at $25.00. This wine has the classic Merlot character of roast coffee, cocoa, chocolate, black cherry and plum-like fruit. It is medium to full-bodied, plush and ideal for drinking over the next 10-12 years.

Score: Silver | June 30, 2016 | International Women's Wine Competition
Score: Silver | June 13, 2016 | San Francisco International Wine Competition
Score: Gold | June 5, 2016 | Sunset International Wine Competition
Score: Silver | June 3, 2016 | Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Score: Silver | December 4, 2015 | Houston Rodeo Wine Competition
June 11, 2015 | Orange County Fair

SILVER

Score: Gold | February 1, 2015 | San Diego International Wine Competition
Score: GOLD | September 25, 2014 | International Wine Channel TV Awards
Score: 87 | May 1, 2013 | Wine Enthusiast
A blast of ripe cherries, chocolate, brown sugar, roasted coconut and almond flavors. Merlot hardly gets richer than this.
Score: Gold | January 14, 2013 | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2013