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Bordeaux Red Blend "Profile" Merryvale, Napa Valley, CA, 2019

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Overview

Merryvale Vineyards Profile 2019 is a Napa Bordeaux blend (99% Cabernet Sauvignon) with cassis, black cherry, blackberry, cocoa, cedar, graphite and spice. Full-bodied, polished and structured with supple tannins. Rated ~92–97 pts, long aging potential.

Details

The 2019 Merryvale Profile, a blend of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc sourced from the estate vineyard, is a highly-regarded Napa Valley Bordeaux blend receiving strong reviews from critics.

Critic scores and tasting notes

Jeb Dunnuck
(97 points): Describes it as a "classic Napa Valley Cabernet goodness" with abundant cassis and currant fruit, notes of spice, graphite, and chocolate, full-bodied richness, and impeccable balance. Believes it can age for 25+ years if properly stored.
Wine Enthusiast
(96 points): Highlights the wine's massive structure and intense flavors, emphasizing its suitability for cellaring. Mentions rich black cherry, blueberry, and dark chocolate notes. Designates it as a "Cellar Selection".
Owen Bargreen
(96 points): Calls it "striking" and "seamless" with a refined and ultra-smooth palate. Notes concentrated black and blue fruit flavors with graphite and stony accents, considering it the finest wine tasted from the estate. Recommends drinking between 2024 and 2044.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
(94 points): Finds it full-bodied, broad, and generous, balancing intensity without being overly heavy. Notes cassis and black cherry framed by cedar and vanilla.
Wine Spectator
(93 points): Characterizes it as lush, dark, and slow-moving, with flavors of mulled black currant, steeped blackberry, roasted vanilla, loam, and tobacco leaf. Suggests cellaring to allow the Cabernet Franc component to integrate further, with a recommended drinking window of 2023-2036.
James Suckling
(92 points): Detects black fruits, dark chocolate, dried thyme, and lavender on the nose, along with hints of charcoal and roasted espresso. Describes it as full-bodied with plush tannins and a rich, creamy core of dark fruit and chocolate. Recommends drinking from 2023.
Decanter
(95 points): Mentions vibrant black fruit, coffee, Moroccan spices, sweet crust pastry, and toasty oak aromas. On the palate, notes blackberry, spiced plum, black olive, and robust cedar-rich tannins. Describes a finish revealing baking spices, earth, and crushed stone.

General profile

Blend: Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (99%) with a small amount of Cabernet Franc (1%) from the estate vineyard.
Aging: Aged for 23 months in 80% new French oak barrels.
Winemaking: Employs traditional Bordeaux techniques, including a 5-day cold soak, wild yeast fermentation, and extended maceration. Bottled without fining or filtration.
Overall Impression: Described as powerful, rich, balanced, savory, and seductive, with classic notes of currants, cassis, and cocoa, complemented by hints of minerality. The tannins are noted as supple and well-integrated, leading to a long and rewarding finish.

Cellaring potential

The 2019 Merryvale Profile is widely considered a cellar-worthy wine, with suggestions of it improving over 25+ years if stored properly. Some reviews recommend drinking starting around 2023-2024, with potential aging until 2044 or beyond.

In conclusion, the 2019 Merryvale Profile has been well-received by wine critics, scoring highly for its quality, structure, and potential for aging. It offers a complex array of dark fruit, spice, and savory notes, characteristic of a fine Napa Valley Bordeaux blend.