Tasting notes
The 2022 Merlot provides a delightful blend of dark berry fruit, black plum, and savory spice notes on the nose. The palate complements with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, toffee, and mocha notes, alongside more subtle hints of graham cracker crust and holiday mulled spices from the well-integrated oak. Medium-bodied with balanced acidity and soft tannins, the deep ruby hue leads to ripe and rich berry flavors supported by a velvety-textured finish that is long, lush, and mouthwatering. An ideal accompaniment to tomato-based pastas, BBQ, and grilled vegetable or braised beef dishes, sure to bring elegance to any occasion
Technical information
Appellation
Napa Valley
Alcohol
14.9%
Vintage
The winter of 2022 was warm and dry, with rain and cooler weather passing through only toward the end of March. The mild spring gave an early start to the growing season, while the summer surprised us with cool mornings and warmer afternoons. As a result, the harvest yielded small berries with concentrated flavors and remarkable acidity, from which wines of exceptional balance and taste were derived.
Vineyard
Sterling has been making Napa Valley Merlot for more than five decades. This rich history and winemaking legacy allow the winery access to some of the finest vineyards in Napa Valley. For the 2021 Napa Valley Merlot, the grapes come primarily from Bancroft Vineyard on Howell Mountain, as well as BV Ranch 12, Barlow Vineyard, and Bear Flats Ranch in Calistoga. Howell Mountain is known for well-draining white tufa volcanic soil that yields Merlot with small berries and a high skin-to-juice ratio, which result in well-structured wines with tremendous concentration. Calistoga is a warmer region known for imparting powdery tannins with expressive red fruit character. The combination of these regions produce Merlot that exemplifies true elegance, reflecting the beautiful nature of this varietal in the Napa Valley.