Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2019

Composition: 100% Merlot 

History: Freemark Abbey is an original Napa Valley building. Founded in 1886, It hasn’t been “young” for a long time. With nearly 50 vintages’ worth of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tucked away in its library, Freemark’s signature portfolio of wines represents one of the most fully realized Cabernet programs in America. Today, Kristy Melton continues the forward-thinking vision of Freemark Abbey.

Tasting Notes:

Red ruby color, the 2018 Merlot expresses red and blue fruits, composed of dried cherries, ripe strawberry, blueberry cobbler, fruit cake, red raspberry jam, and plum. An enjoyable complexity includes baking spice, leather, milk chocolate, and arugula. The spicy oak is very well integrated. Entry and finish are very smooth, with fruit resembling cherry and plum nuances. This Merlot has an excellent overall balance of fruit, body, and tannin, with a long, fruitful finish.