2013 Plumpjack Merlot Napa Valley

The 2013 Merlot is dark, supple and nicely textured in the glass. Sweet red cherries, tobacco, mint, licorice and dried herbs are laced together in the glass. This is an especially savory, mineral-driven Merlot with good depth and nuance, but there is plenty of juiciness in the dark red/bluish fruit, some of that the result of the inclusion of 13% Malbec in the blend. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2013 is going to need at least a year or two for the tannins to soften. The Merlot is made from a site in Oak Knoll.

Far from an easygoing wine, the 2013 Merlot delivers serious quality and intensity for the money. Wild blueberry, cloves, menthol, smoke, orange zest and licorice lift from the glass as this striking wine shows off its considerable nuance and beauty. The pulsating energy of the vintage is evident throughout.