Reviews & Ratings

2012 Plumpjack Merlot "Napa Valley"

Winery: Plumpjack

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 91% Merlot, 8% Malbec & 1% Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $56

Cases produced: 2,600

KWG Score: 90.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: September 3, 2014

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Merlot from Napa is not your typical Merlot. It is a bit on the intense side early on. It opens with a very aromatic blackberry bouquet with hints of blueberry. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, slightly acidic and very fruit forward. The flavor profile is initially a rich and concentrated blackberry. As it settles down, notes of boysenberry, blueberry and gentle minerality show up. I also detected hints of black plum and oak. The finish is dry with minimal tannins. It fades away nicely. This Merlot definitely benefits from aeration. I would pair it with filet mignon after at least an hour of decanting. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: This incredibly balanced wine possesses rich raspberry and black cherry notes layered with chocolate and a touch of smoke imparted by our barrel aging. The location of our Oak Knoll vineyard helps to bring darker fruit aromatics to the nose giving this wine a full, robust, and concentrated palate, while the region's mild climate gives this wine an elegance and a wonderful natural acidity that lifts this wine from start to finish.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Plumpjack 2012 Merlot.