We all know that 2012 was a great vintage, but, wow… the 2013s are knocking it out of the park!

Prepare to be blown away by today’s Coho Wines 2013 Michael Black Vineyard Coombsville Napa Valley Merlot. This wine blew our tasting panel away with its rich, intriguing nose, deep, dark fruits on the palate and smooth, supple tannins. This rich, hearty Merlot was made by one of Agent Red’s winemaking heroes,Philip Corallo-Titus. Wines from Philip’s namesake Titus label is how Agent Red came to be acquainted with the intricately detailed winemaking of mister Titus. You may know Philips Titus from his two decades as winemaker of ** Chappellet Winery**.

This is a profoundly dark Merlot with a blood red heart encircled by a thin ring of ruby red. The wine has a very complex and intriguing nose with fresh earth, cacao, coffee bean, malt, and dried alfalfa. This Merlot is dark and gravelly on the palate with plum, currants, fruitcake, red beet, carrot, and cranberry. Excellently crafted supple tannin is the cornerstone of this well-balanced wine. It drinks incredibly smoothly with a graceful finish. Something bright would nicely contrast this wine - try spaghetti squash dressed with homemade pesto with fresh basil from the garden.

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Here’s what the wine press has to say.

91 Points - JamesSuckling.com - “A merlot showing aromas of plums, dried fruits and dark chocolate. This is dense with round, supple tannins and a slightly jammy finish. Drink now.”

90 Points - Wine Spectator - “Intense and juicy, with a finely layered array of red berry, plum and currant flavors that are well- structured. Shows plenty of minerality on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2021. 355 cases made.”

91 Points - Connoisseurs’ Guide: “From its concentrated aromas of black cherries and creamy oak to its intense flavors, this inviting effort impresses with its richness and its fine fruity presence, and, at every stop, it shows the succulence unique to classic Merlot. It is full and supple yet never steers to softness and sports plenty of vitality and terrific palatal length, and, although a fairly big wine, it shows a careful winemaking hand. Those who can resist its immediate charms and leave it alone for another five of six years will be rewarded with a many-layered Merlot that successfully combines ripeness and grace as few do.”