Swanson Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

8.835 ratings
8.77 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.5

Ripe red cherry fruit and vanilla dominate it's more subtle complexities. More structured than expected.

Ripe red cherry fruit and vanilla dominate it's more subtle complexities. More structured than expected.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 23rd, 2016
"Odedi"

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.

Beautiful nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, earth, leather, barnyard, green pepper, mocha, tobacco, pencil lead, vinegrete, spices and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body, and smooth, with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, vanilla, cedar, vegetables, licorice, tar, bitter herbs, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tart cherries.

This Napa Valley Merlot is drinking nicely now, with nice balance and mature complexity.
Not my style, but drinkable by itself with a nice mouthfeel.

A good quality red, that pairs nicely with BBQ Meats.
Needs 60 minutes of airtime to open up properly.

Robert Parker 92 points. Not there for me.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.

Beautiful nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, earth, leather, barnyard, green pepper, mocha, tobacco, pencil lead, vinegrete, spices and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body, and smooth, with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, vanilla, cedar, vegetables, licorice, tar, bitter herbs, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tart cherries.

This Napa Valley Merlot is drinking nicely now, with nice balance and mature complexity.
Not my style, but drinkable by itself with a nice mouthfeel.

A good quality red, that pairs nicely with BBQ Meats.
Needs 60 minutes of airtime to open up properly.

Robert Parker 92 points. Not there for me.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

Feb 16th, 2017
Sean Trapani

Founder/Educator Wine Fluent, Consultant ABC Fine Wines & Spirits

8.9

Well balanced, with ripe fruit (not jammy), soft tannins, and a twist of red licorice.

Well balanced, with ripe fruit (not jammy), soft tannins, and a twist of red licorice.

Jul 21st, 2016
Erin Hunter

Wine tasting Cali vs France

Wine tasting Cali vs France

Jun 14th, 2017
Chris McFarland

Very light. Very very light.

Very light. Very very light.

May 8th, 2017
Rochelle

For a merlot drinks like a cab nice flavor medium full finish just delicious 😋

For a merlot drinks like a cab nice flavor medium full finish just delicious 😋

Nov 26th, 2016
Daniel Argandona

Even after considerable opening still to tight. Very rustic with lots of bark and forest floor. Decent but barely.

Even after considerable opening still to tight. Very rustic with lots of bark and forest floor. Decent but barely.

Nov 14th, 2016
Susan Visconti

Vanilla, butter, grape, bourbon

Vanilla, butter, grape, bourbon

Oct 1st, 2016
Dario Scimeca

Nice wine that goes well with rack of lamb

Nice wine that goes well with rack of lamb

Sep 26th, 2016
David Dorn

Well balanced merlot! Enjoyed

Well balanced merlot! Enjoyed

Sep 25th, 2016