Freemark Abbey
2011 Napa Valley Merlot
Merlot
California: Napa Valley
Mission Briefing
Heritage
We love Merlot here at The Wine Spies. Many times when we’re looking for a perfect wine to pair with a big meal, Merlot is our go-to. Well, we just might have found a new favorite in today’s Freemark Abbey Winery 2011 Napa Valley Merlot.
Incredibly lush and juicy, today’s wine has layer upon layer of ripe fruit, subtle spice, and toasty earth. These notes are perfectly paired with a seared flank steak, with the crunchy blackened crust meeting their match in the richness of today’s wine.
It really doesn’t get any better than today’s 90 Point gem, crafted from some of the finest vineyards in all of Napa. Please enjoy our boldest recommendation for today’s stunning wine.
Tasting Profile
| Look: | A beautiful dark cherry red, reminiscent of a homemade cherry pie. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Rich and juicy, with ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and currants laid overtop sandalwood, fresh summer forest floor, cinnamon, black peppercorn, and a dusting of cocoa powder. |
| Taste: | Flavors that more than fulfill on the promise of the nose, with juicy ripe berries, Santa Rosa plum, and black cherry cascading across your palate. These notes are quickly trailed by touches of summer bramble, cinnamon, dried blueberry, vanilla bean, and baker’s chocolate. |
| Finish: | A smooth and supple wine that begs to be slowly sipped and enjoyed. The finish has a lovely complexity, with a vibrant acidity and smooth texture. |
| Pairing: | Flank steak, marinated with bourbon and brown sugar, then grilled to crispy perfection. |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Ted Edwards
- Accolades
- 90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Fruit Variety
- 82.3% Merlot, 9.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 1.3% Cabernet Franc
- Vineyard Sources
- 25.7% Red Barn Ranch - Rutherford, 22.2% Lower Cardinale Vineyard - Oakville, 8.8% Keyes - Howell Mountain, 8.7% Coombsville - East Napa City
- Cooperage
- 14 months in French and American oak, 25% new
- ABV
- 13.8%