NEYERS Napa Valley Merlot 2012
Napa, Calfornia $19.
Winemaker notes “As a result of the cold growing season of 2012, our Merlot will be an especially attractive wine. It already shows an exciting combination of complexity, depth and appeal. I was taught 40 years ago at Mayacamas that proper Merlot should have that wonderfully exotic component of sour cherry.”

12 years ago the movie Sideways changed wine consumers’ habits with the classic one-liner “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving – I’m not drinking any (expletive) Merlot!”.

Almost immediately Pinot Noir sales rose and Merlot began a slow demise. In retrospect Sideways was the best thing to happen to Merlot. Mediocre producers abandoned the Merlot varietal leaving only serious producers who improved their quality by replacing older vines past their prime. Today Merlot outsells Pinot Noir by nearly 2 to 1. The list of Napa Valley powerhouses offering high-quality Merlot includes Duckhorn, Cakebread, Twomey and others.

Merlot is one of the major Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon is the other) and has flexibility to be used as a varietal (Merlot) wine or blend with others. Merlot is medium body with lower tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon and is a wonderful pairing with food.

Cheers, Bob the WineGuy

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