Are you craving some big bass thumping, super ripe-and-rockin’ Pinot?

If that sounds like the style you dig, AND you enjoy paying 50% less than everyone else on Planet Earth, do yourself a solid and grab a few of these. The doctor says one bottle a week should lead to increased levels of happiness. Get enough to last for at least a few weeks before the next prescription Pinot lands (and it’s a comin’).

Merryvale is a blue-chip stalwart in the center of Napa Valley, with a long history of making fantastic wines, including their famous Profile and Silhouette flagships, while this Pinot is no exception. French born winemaker Simon Faury draws on a wealth of experience from Robert Mondavi, The Napa Valley Reserve, and Harlan Estate which fascinatingly connects it full circle to the beginnings of Merryvale with Bill Harlan as co-founder.

Since Faury took the Helm at this Napa Valley institution, the quality sure has been on the up and up. Antonio Galloni’s Vinous acknowledged recently that; “these wines from the re-vamped Merryvale continue to impress, I see more focus and character in the top selections than was the case just a few years ago” and so do we! Coming from that sweet neighborhood of Napa Carneros near Etude, Hyde, and Beckstoffer’s Las Amigas, the fruit is impeccable and that really, really shows.

This smells kind of like a “warm sunset on my face in the Bahamas”. In other words, deep, mouth-filling red cherry, red apple skin, cola, and fresh pie crust. Fairly robust, it’s definitely not a light, delicate style Pinot. Yet for ALL Pinot lovers out there, it’s not just easy to drink, it’s impossible to stop drinking kinda delicious. The few years of age at the winery library cellar also helped it tremendously as it’s aching to be paired with your next lavish wild mushroom risotto night, make sure you save enough for the cheese platter too, and a sip for the flourless chocolate cake!

Can’t promise it will last long, so buy NOW and by the case, as $20 for a Pinot with this much pizzazz is not seen often in these parts…

92 Points – James Suckling

“A dense and beautifully crafted red with big silky tannins and a long flavorful finish of dark berry, cedar and light chocolate. Drink now.”