2012 Merryvale Profile

The flagship wine at Merryvale is their Profile, and the 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Profile carries a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Beautiful blueberry, white flowers, black and red currants, as well as some incense and camphor jump from the glass of this stunningly proportioned, complex wine. The mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied with superb purity, enticing texture and oodles of beautiful ripe fruit that cascade over the palate. I think of it as a gracious and somewhat restrained, but authoritative Napa Red Wine. It should drink well for 12-15+ years.

The 2012 Profile has a little more structure and overall breadth than the 2011 tasted alongside it. Raspberries, freshly cut flowers, spices and mint inform this delicious, fruit driven Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot blend. I would prefer to drink the 2012 over the next few years while the fruit retains its juiciness.