Merlot, Clos Pegase, Napa Valley, CA, 2023

Clos Pegase Napa Valley Merlot 2023

Professional reviews & ratings

• James Suckling — 92 points
  The strongest published professional score I found. The wine is characterized by ripe red-fruit aromas, especially raspberry, with savory dried-fennel notes. On the palate it shows blackcurrant, raspberry and plum, with dried herbs, forest-floor and crushed-graphite nuances.
• The Wine Fairy — 8.9/10 (independent professional-style tasting)
  A very fruit-driven, aromatic Merlot with tart cherry and pomegranate, gentle espresso-toned oak, and intriguing notes of rose, fennel and spice. The reviewer describes it as soft, medium-bodied, with relaxed tannins and a forest-berry/caramel finish, and considers it particularly appealing for early drinking.

Overall impression

92-point wine with excellent value potential. The 2023 is more about bright, expressive red/black fruit and supple texture than power or heavy oak. At 14.5% ABV, it should be approachable now, with enough tannin and structure to work nicely at the table.