These are classically styled, restrained wines that represent great value. – Wine Advocate

So, we ask, did they mean the full $55, or the implausible $25 we have it listed for?!

A delectable Merlot, with so much pedigree, and at such a price, is unheard of, read on…

Gonzague and Claire Lurton of Château Haut-Bages-Libéral in Pauillac and Château Durfort-Vivens in Margaux set their sight on making wine in California. And they hooked up with master of the craft Pierre Seillan of Verité to make it happen. With countless 100-pointers he established Veritéas the crown jewel of Sonoma. He helped the Lurtons zero in on Chalk Hill for establishing Trinité Estate. With a deep history in Bordeaux, and the help of Pierre, they were destined to reach the stars.

Just last month The Sonoma County Gazette brought this hidden gem of an appellation to the fore: “Chalk Hill has earned its stripes as one of the County’s most distinguished wine-growing areas.” With one hit after another coming from other visionaries like Chalk Hill Estate, Calluna, and Arnot-Roberts it’s about time Chalk Hill got more recognition.

This is a perfect example of the possibilities. Lush, polished, and rich, showing lots of blackberries, plum, and dried herbs with dusty nuances of spice and earth. Medium to full-bodied, juicy, and toned with plenty of tension to frame the fruit. It clearly shows that Merlot can be marvelous in the heart of Sonoma when grown in the best terroir and done right.

Verité was “very pleased with the 2016 vintage as its sophistication and finesse shine through” and their Merlot, La Muse, hit 100 points with the Wine Advocate, which costs north of $400 today. By any stretch, this is NOT in that league, but dare we say it, not too far from it either.

You be the judge.

Put this sublime value sipper on your summer rotation.

92+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Gonzague and Claire Lurton own several properties in Bordeaux, including Durfort Vivens, Ferrière, Haut-Bages Liberal and La Gurgue. In 2012, they acquired a vineyard in Sonoma County, with the aim of producing Bordeaux-inspired white and red blends. In 2014 they built a small winery and ripped out some of the original vines, planted in 1998, to plant more Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. French-born vigneron Nicolas Vonderheyden oversees management of the vineyards and winemaking. These are classically styled, restrained wines that represent great value. Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2016 Merlot has a nose of horse saddle, cedar, pencil shavings, cast-iron pan, turned earth, black plum and red and black cherries and currants - this is very meaty and savory. The palate is medium to full-bodied with intense ripe fruits and a pretty mineral streak, those savory/horse saddle flavors taking a backseat on the palate. It offers very ripe, grainy tannins to cradle the fruit and seamless freshness, finishing very long and chocolaty. That rustic character works well here… Drink 2020-2030.”