Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Merlot

Dry, plush and polished. This is a medium- to full-bodied Merlot with ripe fruit and fresh acidity. The nose shows black cherry, ripe plum and red berries, with violet. The palate brings blackberry, black raspberry, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate. The tannins are refined, and the long, savory finish shows sage and earthy minerality.

Stags’ Leap Winery traces its history to 1893 and is based on the Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District. Its Napa Valley Merlot draws mainly on cooler vineyards in the southern part of the valley, especially the Oak Knoll District, along with fruit from Oakville and the winery’s own Stags Leap District sites. Merlot leads the blend, with small amounts of other varieties in some vintages, and the wine is aged in French oak. It is bottled in a 750 mL bottle.

Serve just below room temperature with roast pork, duck or mushroom risotto.