Daisy Ridge 2016 Merlot, Napa Valley

Here's a dynamite Napa Valley red that shows how enticing Merlot can be, sourced from the right places in Napa Valley. The southern part of the valley is cooler which early ripening Merlot prefers. And in areas where there's more clay in the soil which retains moisture and is cooler than gravel soils Merlot is able to ripen slowly and retain ideal balance while developing complex flavors. That's where these grapes were sourced; select hillside and valley floor Merlot vineyards in the southern part of Napa Valley including Stag's Leap and Yountville. It was aged in older oak barrels which lets the the wine soften and open up while adding just a hint of flavor nuance.

You'll get strawberry, cherry, blackberry, and violets on the nose while the palate delivers rich berry flavors balanced by bright acidity and very finely grained, supple tannins. It's easy to enjoy this ripe Napa Merlot right now but it's also a product of the outstanding 2016 vintage and shows enough concentration to mature gently over the next 2-4 years. The only downside is that it's limited so don't miss it!!