Our Annual Wine Intrigue Awards (aka WIA) is Here!

Ty Caton 2018 Upper Bench Moon Mountain Merlot

Ty Caton 2018 Upper Bench Moon Mountain Merlot

By Mister TY!
Best Merlot Buy
dryness
acidity
tannin
body
fruit
By Mister TY!
Best Merlot Buy

Mission Codename Cabeater

Had you noticed that the TY in Ty Caton spells out THANK YOU?

Well, we have a lot to be thankful for. Mr. Ty Caton first, for one greatest hit after another, the guy just can’t seem capable of making mediocre wine, on the contrary, it’s the same big, bold, brave winemaking no matter the grape!

Then we’re thankful he knows us well, and that we don’t mess around with wimpy Merlot over here.

This one? A full-throttle style for sure. Think full sleeve tatted up, bicep flexing, geared up to ground, and pound some Cabernet into submission. Of course, coming from Ty, you probably knew that already.

Know what else got pounded into submission? The price. And for that, we are thankful for our over-the-top spy negotiation and coercion tactics, most of which are better left unsaid. Ty’s wines already come in underpriced compared to so many other producers. Obviously, we put this on a brutal diet and cut a healthy 40% off, bringing it down to just $25.

Like many of his wines, Ty is thankful for primo fruit from high elevation vineyards in his Moon Mountain vineyard. This squid-ink-black in the heart and purple glowing to the rim beastly thing of a Merlot serves up fresh and dried plums, figs, dates, and some black cherries too on the nose, first, and foremost. Then comes the first sip, big and chewy, dense, and fairly extracted - with gusto to spare. Afterburners ignite a crescendo on the finish where berries red and black collide with herbs, batter up with exotic spices, and crash against an iron backbone of tannin, cooling off and layering in refreshing acidity to calm the storm.

Don’t shy away from taking this to the test with the mightiest, richest foods only a Cab would dare face.

We’ve lost count of the number of wines we offered from Ty. Last but not least we’re SUPER thankful to you, our thirsty, wine-drenched Operatives looking to score, there’s a good reason Ty is one of the most requested masters we work with. Delivers. Every. Time.

Read Full Review
Hide Full Review

Tasting Profile Tasting Profile

dryness
acidity
tannin
body
fruit
Look

Squid-ink-black, glowing purple to the rim, beastly dense

Smell

Fresh and dried plums, figs, dates, red and black cherries

Taste

Big and chewy, dense, fairly extracted - with gusto to spare

Finish

Berries, herbs, exotic spices, iron-clad tannins, juicy acidity

Pairing

Take it to the test with mighty rich foods a Cab would dare face

What the Winery Says 2018 Upper Bench Moon Mountain Merlot

Ty Caton
Ty Caton
Winemaker
Ty Caton
Varietal
100% Merlot
Vintage
2018
Alcohol
15.3%
Appellation
Moon Mountain District, Sonoma County
Vineyard
Caton Estate Vineyard
Aging
18 months
Barrels
45% new French oak

About the Winery Ty Caton

Ty Caton Winemaker Ty Caton
Ty Caton Winemaker Ty Caton
Ty Caton 2018 Upper Bench Moon Mountain Merlot 750ml Wine Bottle
Offer Expired May 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm
Register to get notified when this wine is back in stock:
Sign Up For Free
Ty Caton 2018 Upper Bench Moon Mountain Merlot 750ml Wine Bottle
Offer Expired May 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm
Register to get notified when this wine is back in stock:
Sign Up For Free