Today’s 2010 Swanson Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot represents the sixth successive vintage of this fantastic wine that we have presented to you. Dark, plush and balanced with bold, bright flavors, today’s wine is among the best we have featured from Swanson.

Merlot makes for one of the most food friendly wines, and today’s example reinforces this notion. We paired ours with a delicious homemade pizza with marinara, fresh mozzarella, pineapple and Italian sausage. Juicy and bright, the wine provided the perfect palate cleanser, between bites.

Complex, balanced and very approachable, today’s fantastic wine earns our highest recommendation for a Merlot. Swanson Vineyards is best-known for their Merlot, and today’s stunning example clearly illustrates why, vintage after vintage, they earn our highest respect.

Enjoy now, but please hold a handful of bottles for the next several years. The wine will only continue to get better and better. Decant for best results.