Napa Valley Reserve Merlot Reviews

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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

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

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. 

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.