Description
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Merlot is a Merlot-led red from one of the oldest names in Napa. The fruit comes from six vineyards across the valley. They include Bosché, Calistoga, Keyes, Oakville, Red Barn and Stagecoach. That mix of sites gives you ripe fruit with solid structure.
The 2021 vintage blends 94% Merlot with 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent 19 months in French oak, and about a third of the barrels were new. Both the 2021 and the 2022 come in at 14.5% ABV. You can read the full winemaker notes on the website.
Swirl your glass and you will find boysenberry and dark cherry first. Bay leaf and dried herbs come next. Then you may pick up milk chocolate, leather and a little arugula. Spicy oak ties it all together.
The palate is lush but well built. The 2021 shows black fruit compote, milk chocolate, oak spice and cigar box. The 2022 leans toward plum, blackberry and mocha. In both, the tannins are firm yet refined, and the finish is long. Black cherry and cedar linger at the end, with a light touch of vanilla.
Serve it a little below room temperature, and give it half an hour in a decanter if you can. Pour it with grilled ribeye, roast lamb or braised short ribs. Mushroom risotto and aged cheddar are lovely matches too.
