Best Merlot Vineyards

[ChrisMcElligott]

I agree with the “other” John about Spring Mtn sourcing great Merlots. I enjoy Paloma’s and am saving my last Guilliam’s Merlot for a special occasion with a friend who visited the winery with us and loves it as much as I do.

I also agree with this John! We visited O’Brien in Oak Knoll in 2013 with a decent group of people. Our group’s favorite wine was their merlot-dominated blend (Romance- I know, it’s a cheesy name).

Jean Edwards makes a very nice merlot from Oak Knoll. Can be had for around fifty bucks which makes it a very nice Qpr as well.

Thanks for the mention Chris. Oak Knoll is a sweet spot in the valley for merlot. Our merlot is from Beckstoffer Orchard Avenue Vineyard in Oak Knoll.

If I was independently wealthy I would snag a couple cases of the 2016 Karen. One of my favorite wines to date. Also I had forgot about Ehlers, also a delicious merlot, as I’m sure many of these are.

[rsmithjr]

I completely forgot about Sinskey…they made great Merlot

[Ravi_Raju]

Pride Merlot with age on it is excellent. There is something about that dried mountain fruit that is magical . . .

[Scott_Stewart]

Back in the day: 91-97 La Jota, 91- 97 Beringer Bancroft Ranch and even older Duckhorn Three Palms.

[Chris_Loyd]

This thread got me digging in to some details of a few wines mentioned. In a few cases, I was able to compare wine making methods from the same winery for their merlot and cabernet. For those, I noticed that merlot either spent less time on oak or the percentage of new oak was lower.

In broad strokes, is this generally true? I think it makes sense with the lower tannin levels but al uncertain.

I often find too much vanilla aroma and flavor in Napa cabs to be off putting . Less oak on a different Bordeaux varietal might make sense for me.

[Brian_Lynch]

Paloma, Pride, Switchback Ridge

[Tim_Heaton]

another vote for the (former, no longer available, been sold) Michael Black vineyard

[Jonathan_Jaggers]

Great topic. I recently had a 2015 Coho Merlot, Michael Black Vineyard, Coombsville, that was really nice and terrific qpr from WineAccess, $39 before discounts. IIRC there’s a little Cab Sauv and Petit Verdot in the blend.

The 2014 is a fantastic QPR as well, picked some up on Vivino a few months ago for I believe $30 a bottle.

[DougS]

I don’t know which is “best”, but I think the vineyards that Andrew Will uses for their Merlot-based vineyard designates should be part of the discussion. I haven’t had any California Merlot-based wines with significant age, which I think is necessary to really gauge quality.

[John_Oglesby]

Great topic. I recently had a 2015 Coho Merlot, Michael Black Vineyard, Coombsville, that was really nice and terrific qpr from WineAccess, $39 before discounts. IIRC there’s a little Cab Sauv and Petit Verdot in the blend.

Merlot is on my list of “wines I don’t drink enough of.” I wish I could balance that out with a list of “wines I drink too much of,” but sadly that list doesn’t exist.

I grew up near this vineyard. I never knew the name of it- only knew it as the vineyard with the “Don’t Tread On Me” flag flying above it in the 00’s

[Drew_Goin]

… Similarly, older Beringer Bancroft merlots were terrific, but then there was a phase (after some significant replanting? I have heard) when the depth was not there. What about recently?

I forgot that the “Bancroft Ranch Vineyard” had been replanted. However, I wouldn’t avoid a vineyard that had been replanted to the same variety that is still under the care of the same company, personally. The late '90s “Bancroft Ranch” Merlot wines were enchanting. Beringer made some great Merlot back then.


In retail-work days of old, I had countless opportunities to drink Nickel & Nickel Merlot from “Suscol Ranch” (Carneros?), “Harris Vyd” (Oakville), and “Sori Bricco” (Diamond Mt). The local distribution reps held several dinners and guided tastings.


It’s been some time since I sought out any Napa Valley reds - particularly Merlot. I suppose that my love for other varieties has given me tunnel vision.

[Jim_F]

… Similarly, older Beringer Bancroft merlots were terrific, but then there was a phase (after some significant replanting? I have heard) when the depth was not there. What about recently?

I forgot that the “Bancroft Ranch Vineyard” had been replanted. However, I wouldn’t avoid a vineyard that had been replanted to the same variety that is still under the care of the same company, personally. The late '90s “Bancroft Ranch” Merlot wines were enchanting. Beringer made some great Merlot back then.


In retail-work days of old, I had countless opportunities to drink Nickel & Nickel Merlot from “Suscol Ranch” (Carneros?), “Harris Vyd” (Oakville), and “Sori Bricco” (Diamond Mt). The local distribution reps held several dinners and guided tastings.


It’s been some time since I sought out any Napa Valley reds - particularly Merlot. I suppose that my love for other varieties has given me tunnel vision.

Re: Bancroft, fair enough! And I believe there are a couple 2016’s in my cellar……

[lleichtman]

Bought a three-pack from Pride Mountain in 2020 after tasting there. Haven’t cracked one yet.

[rick_m]

Pride
Paloma
Switchback Ridge
Old Pahlmeyer 90’s
Old Berringer Howell Mt 90’s
Lewis Cellars

[Vince_L1]

FWIW

The 17 Most Important California Vineyards All Wine Lovers Need to Know

Red Hen is #6

[mstockley]

Best Merlot I ever had was a 97 Beringer Bancroft Ranch a couple of years ago.

This. Wine served at our wedding head table unfortunately way to young.

[Jin_L]

switchback

[David_B]

Another vote for Keenan. Their Mailbox vineyard is a nice step up from the regular bottling.

[Mike_Reff]

No love for Haven’s? Not sure anyone can even secure this wine anymore?

[Drew_Goin]

The Sandlands Coombsville Merlot was from the “Michael Black Vineyard”. I doubt it’s stylistically in the same vein as some of the plush, round reds of the 1990s, but it might be worth a buy in the future…


from “TN: 2017 Sandlands Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville)” Wine Berserkers thread
July 11, 2020

…This wine comes from the Michael Black vineyard in Coombsville. Made famous in the 1990’s by Paul Hobbs. It was one of the early Bordeaux plantings in Coombsville (1985). Before then common belief was that Coombsville was too cold to grow Bordeaux varieties. Farella was the first to disprove this theory planting small bits of Merlot and Cabernet in 1979. The vineyard sits on a rock outcropping on the corner of First Ave and North Ave. Michael Black was a Renaissance man/ viticulturist and the selection of Merlot is known as the Michael Black clone. The vineyard yields tiny berries and rarely gets 2 tons to the acre. The wine was aged in 2 barrels- both French one a once used and the other twice used. I opened one of these the other night, I am really happy with the wine the wine is showing and I believe it will continue to mature for the next 10 plus years. I will be making this wine again in 2020. Thanks again for the note.
Tegan

Oh, and +1 on the Ehlers Estate Merlot!