Reviews & Ratings

2004 Luna Merlot "Napa"

Winery: Luna

Vintage: 2004

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $40

Cases produced: 2,750

KWG Score: 89.1 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90.7)

Review date: August 7, 2008

Wine Review: This big wine finished in second place in our recent blind tasting of Merlots. This wine is very deep ruby red in color. It opens with a spicy blackberry bouquet with hints leather and oak and a touch of heat. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is rich, concentrated, with some edginess, and spicy blackberry flavors and some dark chocolate as well. The finish is dry and very tingly. The panel felt this wine would pair perfectly with pheasant, bison, or venison. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: Our 2004 Napa Valley Merlot is the color of vibrant raspberries. The nose is filled with smoked, roasted walnuts and a touch of brambleberry. This is a big, muscular Merlot with an abundance of blackberry, Mission figs, and anise on the mid-palate. Seamless, elegant layers appear on the finish, with more black fruits, followed by persistent, tongue-dusting tannins. The long finish reflects the subtlety and elegance of Merlot as a varietal. This is a wine that will be enjoyable for its vibrancy, for the next two to four years. Over the next decade, it should evolve to become more defined and concentrated.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Luna 2004 Merlot.