Full Review

Amizetta Vineyards

Amizetta Vineyards
2021 Merlot, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$75

Amizetta Vineyards
2021 Merlot, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of cherry and chocolate, plum and blackberry, vanilla, and leather with a round, vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and a warming, compelling, medium-long finish manifesting notes of baked bramble berry pie ala mode, baked blackberry and cherry, leather and chocolate, and fine tobacco with medium, coating tannins and moderate oak flavor. Big, ripe fruit and creamy vanilla and chocolate from some fine oak; this is delicious and exactly what you expect and want from Napa.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World, Fruity & Rich & Full
Aroma Aroma: cherry and chocolate, plum and blackberry, vanilla, and leather
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of baked bramble berry pie ala mode, baked blackberry and cherry, leather and chocolate, and fine tobacco
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Big, ripe fruit and creamy vanilla and chocolate from some fine oak; this is delicious and exactly what you expect and want from Napa.

The Producer

Amizetta Vineyards

The Producer
1099 Greenfield Rd
Saint Helena, CA 94574
USA
1 707-963-1460

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.

Top Rated for
Merlot

Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
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Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
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Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
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Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
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Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
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Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
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Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
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Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
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USA
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.3% $190.00.
USA
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
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Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
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Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
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Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
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Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
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USA
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
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USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
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Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
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USA
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
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Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
13.8% $22.00.
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Best Buys for
Merlot

Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
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13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
14% $18.00.
Australia
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
93 POINTS
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
13.5% $14.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
14% $13.00.
Australia
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
93 POINTS
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
13.5% $16.00.
USA
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
14.5% $10.00.
USA
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
13% $9.00.
USA