Man, it seems like groundhog day here at Wine Spies HQ lately. Every day another stupendous wine bursts onto the scene. This time we went back to the well at Robert Craig and scored a killer Howell Mountain Merlot. At an even bigger 51% off!!

True insiders know Robert Craig crushes it. If there was a King of the Mountain Cabernet award, Robert Craig would be a front runner. From their winery at the very top of Howell Mountain (2300ft) they have been cranking out blockbuster wines since the early 90s, focusing almost exclusively on hillside and mountain fruit sourced from their estate vineyard and also from Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain, and Spring Mountain. They have a rabid following, a devoted family of fans who scoop their releases year in, year out. So we were beyond THRILLED to get our hands on ANYTHING from them.

So, about this wine. It’s NOT your mama’s Merlot. Oh no…this is rockin’, rumpshaking, head clapping stuff that could give any great Pomerol a run. This vintage has a little more bounce per ounce thanks to the addition of fruit from Candlestick Ridge, a fantastic vineyard Robert Craig just purchased on Howell Mountain. It also includes 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and a splash of Malbec. The end result delivers a rich, complex melange of plum, sweet black cherry, fresh baked pie crust, and cedar all wrapped up in a medium body with soft mouthfeel and gentle tannins.

At over 50% off it’s a ridiculous chance to enjoy some of this much loved producer’s wine. If that last offer from Robert Craig is any indication, this one is already running low and moving fast - like a dachshund race. Best make moves if you want in on this one!