Today’s Merryvale Vineyards 2012 ‘Forward Kidd’ Napa Valley Red Wine is a 95 point stunner!

This wine was made by Sean Foster, who studied under one of Napa Valley’s most revered winemakers, Bob Levy. Mr. Levy is the founding winemaker and director of vineyards for Harlan Estate in the Napa Valley. Harlan, as you likely know, is home to some of California’s most sought-after - and expensive - wines.

Striking and bold on the nose as well, with aromas of blackberry, cranberry, black cherry, raspberry and strawberry, wrapped in a cocoon of spice, toasty oak, coffee bean and flinty minerals.

Bold flavors streak onto the palate, with black cherry, smoky blackberry, coffee bean, chocolate covered cherry, spice box, cranberry, toasted oak, dried herbs, dried violets, tobacco and flint.

This inaugural Forward Kidd vintage is the biggest, boldest and best that we’ve tasted from Sean Foster. We really look forward to more vintages of this wine - and other superior offerings - from Sean.

Very highly recommended!

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

95+ points - Julie Tesar, Certified Sommelier - “This unique and delicious blend from Napa Valley exudes a dark fruit profile with notes of baked blackberry crisp, blueberry jam, crushed purple flowers and black currants with a touch of vanilla and baking spices.

Exceedingly easy to drink with its polished, round texture and soft tannins. Its ripe, rich fruit is balanced by a moderate acidity, just enough to lift the wine and make it a good pairing with meals like barbequed pork or grilled steak. Its velvety finish of black plums and currants is long as it is smooth. A definite crowd-pleaser with immediate appeal.”

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95 points - Jonathan Cristaldi, WSET Advanced, Instructor, Napa Valley Wine Academy - “A classic Napa Valley Bordeaux blend, heavy on Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Petite Sirah rounding out this uber-ripe, supple and full bodied glassful of delight.

Generous blackberry and fleshy blueberry fruits fill the mid palate and are bolstered by grippy, almost woody tannins, and the finish is flush with graphite and spice-box flavors from sagebrush and wild herbs to savory flavors and leathery spice.”