2019 Rombauer Merlot Napa Valley
On the Napa side of Carneros, the clay soils mimic the Bordeaux’s Right Bank, making for a pretty primo spot to grow Merlot, which makes up 84% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Verdot. About a quarter of the wine was barrel fermented to bring out richness and texture in the palate before the 15 months in French oak. This juicy beauty is bursting with fruit, from the black cherry nose to the plum and fig drenched palate.
After making wine for more than 30 years in the Napa Valley, the late Koerner Rombauer quietly established himself as an industry veteran. The small town farm boy from Southern California followed his first passion, flying, into the California Air National Guard. In 1972, after an almost 20-year career as a pilot, Koerner moved his wife, kids, two horses and five dogs to the Napa Valley. The small agricultural community reminded him of the clean, safe town in which he grew up. Koerner started with 40 hilltop acres just outside of St Helena, but today, the Rombauers own prime vineyards in some of the finest pockets of the Napa Valley, including the sites in Stags Leap, Atlas Peak, St. Helena and Calistoga. The wines have a cult following - give them a taste and you'll see why.