2011 Pride Mountain Merlot Sonoma County
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(a 63/37 blend from the two counties; includes 7% cabernet sauvignon): Good full medium red. Red raspberry, underbrush and coffee on the musky nose, along with some high-toned oak. A sweet, silky, nicely perfumed midweight with modest depth and a slightly green quality. The tannins show a faint dryness but do not dominate the wine.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Merlot is a little reticent today. Cloves, dark cherries, plums, mint and cloves all take shape in the glass in a medium-bodied wine that is built for near-term enjoyment. There is a lot to like here, but I expect the 2011 to offer its best drinking earlier rather than later.
The 2011 Merlot, a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 18 months in 40% new French oak, exhibits soft berry fruit, white chocolate and espresso bean notes along with elegant, medium-bodied flavors. While it does not possess the depth of a great vintage, it performs well displaying excellent purity and ripeness. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. As always, this winery situated at the crest of Spring Mountain on both sides of the Napa/Sonoma counties boundary, has turned out a portfolio of interesting as well as satisfying wines. Amazingly, Pride Mountain Vineyards now owns over 85 acres at high elevation sites spread over the top of Spring Mountain. Pride Mountain’s two flagship offerings are much more limited in availability, with only 569 cases of the 2010 Claret Reserve and 1,365 cases of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Tel. (707) 963-4949