Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa County Merlot

9.1112 ratings
9.020 pro ratings
Napa County, North Coast, California, USA
Merlot
Top Notes For
Charles Rivas

Stellar Merlot. Complex yet approachable, with a fleshy mouthfeel that doesn’t get flabby. Long, smooth finish.

Stellar Merlot. Complex yet approachable, with a fleshy mouthfeel that doesn’t get flabby. Long, smooth finish.

Feb 23rd, 2018
Tom
9.1

Best example of a merlot I can find.

Best example of a merlot I can find.

May 1st, 2016
Charles Rivas

Great nose, but needed a little time to open in glass. Spreads across the palate and culminates with a long finish.

Great nose, but needed a little time to open in glass. Spreads across the palate and culminates with a long finish.

Apr 5th, 2015
Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe

Has put on some weight since last tried.

Has put on some weight since last tried.

Mar 19th, 2015
Brad Ball

Sommelier/Wine Director Social Wine Bar

8.6

Price unfriendly...

Price unfriendly...

Jan 27th, 2015
Tracy Hall

Who says 2011 isn't good? This is good! Young and needs time but will turn heads

Who says 2011 isn't good? This is good! Young and needs time but will turn heads

Nov 17th, 2014
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

One of the best Merlots made in California

One of the best Merlots made in California

Oct 3rd, 2014
Brian Kelly

Vertical from 2011-2013. PNP. Was a lot a fun to do. From the cool and wet '11 to the hot and dry '13. The '12 was the most dry off the three, but also seemed a bit closed off compared to the others. They 2011 is clearly a Merlot. The 2013 could easily be confused for a cab. After some air the 12 opened up and is quite nice. That's not fair to the others, all are very good, but the 12 benefited from some breathing while the others were good to go out of the gate.

Vertical from 2011-2013. PNP. Was a lot a fun to do. From the cool and wet '11 to the hot and dry '13. The '12 was the most dry off the three, but also seemed a bit closed off compared to the others. They 2011 is clearly a Merlot. The 2013 could easily be confused for a cab. After some air the 12 opened up and is quite nice. That's not fair to the others, all are very good, but the 12 benefited from some breathing while the others were good to go out of the gate.

Jun 13th, 2020
William Feinstein

Framboise and a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Well balanced - the tannins are in synch with the purple fruits here. Plum,
cassis and just a touch of bell pepper on the palate with a fairly long finish. Very good (especially for a 2011). I don’t think it will improve much from here but in a very good place now.

Framboise and a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Well balanced - the tannins are in synch with the purple fruits here. Plum,
cassis and just a touch of bell pepper on the palate with a fairly long finish. Very good (especially for a 2011). I don’t think it will improve much from here but in a very good place now.

Feb 23rd, 2020
Ming L
9.0

Not as rich as the other vintages I’ve tasted, this 2011 bottling showoffs its fruity and fresh side. Plum, raspberry jam, cherry, cassis, graphite, and hint of chocolate and smoke. Palate was fresh and lively, with round acidity that had a minty feel.
This is delicious, but lacking a bit complexity that I’ve come to expect from this Merlot. I probably did not do it justice by decanting it for only about 30 minutes, because the guests could not wait.

Not as rich as the other vintages I’ve tasted, this 2011 bottling showoffs its fruity and fresh side. Plum, raspberry jam, cherry, cassis, graphite, and hint of chocolate and smoke. Palate was fresh and lively, with round acidity that had a minty feel.
This is delicious, but lacking a bit complexity that I’ve come to expect from this Merlot. I probably did not do it justice by decanting it for only about 30 minutes, because the guests could not wait.

Dec 10th, 2019