Markham has long excelled at Merlot, ever since its founding in 1977. Made from predominately 25 year-old vines, this 100% Merlot offers a lithe take on what Merlot can, and should, be. This is a quieter wine, allowing the fruit to slide up on you. There is plenty of blackberry fruit, blueberry, light red currant, huckleberry with medium tannins and acidity for structure. On the mid palate you’ll find toasted vanilla, a wisp of cinnamon, violet wildflowers, lingonberry a hint of cocoa and sandalwood. There is a harmonious fit to the fruit, wood, tannin and acidity, which makes this a compelling wine, but even more so because it is also a restrained wine, one that doesn’t operate on brash up-front fruit. Aged in French oak for 18 months, this does need a little time, 30 minutes or less, to open up and reveal its subtle fruit. About 3,000 cases. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.8%
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