Alcohol: 13%
Grape(s): 94% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec
Localization: Napa Valley, California, USA
Tasting Notes: The Plumpjack Merlot has a beautiful and complex nose – black cherry, boysenberry jam, plum, and fresh-cut flowers come through first, then cardamom, nutmeg, and a touch of cocoa and vanilla enter giving the nose depth and intrigue. The palate too has great depth and complexity – flavors of red cherries, muddled berries, and dried herbs, with a creamy texture and silky tannin complemented by fresh, vibrant acidity.
Notes: Our Merlot vineyard is in the Oak Knoll region of the Napa Valley, and is nestled up to the Mayacamas Mountain Range on the west side of the valley. The mild climate and alluvial soils in this region lend this wine great balance and structure. The mild temperatures allow these grapes to develop bright aromatics and flavors, along with beautiful natural acidity and elegance. The alluvial soils bring darker fruits to the nose and palate and give this wine its structure and concentration.
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: Incorporating 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec, the 2018 Merlot sports a dense purple hue as well as a killer nose of cassis, black cherries, spring flowers, tobacco, spice, and even a hint of menthol. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, elegant texture, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure class and one heck of a great Merlot as well as a value. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 7-8 years, if not upwards of a decade or more.
The Domain: PlumpJack Winery sits squarely in the heart of Napa Valley's renowned Oakville region, surrounded by a 42-acre estate vineyard highly-regarded for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon. Both their winery building and their vineyard date back to the 1800s, when winemaking pioneers first took advantage of a unique position on the valley floor. The east side of their vineyard lies along the foothills of the Vaca mountain range and yields grapes with the kind of bold fruit character that comes from well-drained hillside soils. To the west, their estate lies in the Napa River flood zone. Here, their vines take root in rich, deep clay soil, for grapes with softer, more supple varietal character. From their oldest, rockiest section - the "I" Block, where they source their Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - to more recent plantings, they strive to maintain balanced vines.
