Sterling Napa Valley Merlot 2021

"The Reserve Merlot shows off the rich flavor and balanced acidity that comes from ideal Sonoma Valley conditions. Abundant aromas of dark red fruits and French Roast coffee merge with mocha, blackberry and cherry preserve flavors, finishing smooth and slightly spicy." —winemaker

"This Merlot is fresh and pure, offering a captivating bouquet of dark cherry, red berries, and perfumed rose petals intertwined with subtle baking spiced notes of cedar and clove from the well-integrated oak. On the palate, rustic yet refined tannins provide a medium body and crunchy mouth-pleasing texture, with layered flavors of black cherry, red raspberry, tobacco leaf, and rooibos tea amid a backdrop of juicy, mouthwatering acidity and a hint of tartness reminiscent of cherries jubilee. The long and savory finish has hints of sagebrush, bittersweet dark chocolate, and earthy minerality, demonstrating a harmonious balance of tension and grace—a truly beautiful and complex expression of Napa Valley Merlot." —winemaker

"Intense aromas of wild blueberry, ripe cherry, and cassis with a touch of cedar and earth. The mouth is layered with bright flavors of red currants, plum jam, and sweet vanilla. Ripe tannins fill the palate and provide an elegant finish of dried red fruits." —winemaker