2018 Plumpjack Merlot Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Merlot is dark, plummy and super-expressive. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice and licorice are all kicked up in this soft, easygoing Merlot from PlumpJack. The Merlot has come together very nicely over the last year and is quite approachable today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Incorporating 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec, the 2018 Merlot sports a dense purple hue as well as a killer nose of cassis, black cherries, spring flowers, tobacco, spice, and even a hint of menthol. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, elegant texture, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure class and one heck of a great Merlot as well as a value. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 7-8 years, if not upwards of a decade or more.
The 2018 Merlot is an attractive wine, but it also a bit stern in the early going, with tannins that are surprisingly forbidding. It will be interesting to see if those tannins soften over time, as there is terrific purity in the black cherry, chocolate and spice flavors.
The 2018 Merlot is a blend of 94% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sails out of the glass with expressive notes of blackberry pie, stewed plums and sautéed herbs plus hints of tar, black pepper and fertile loam. The palate is full-bodied and laden with juicy black fruit flavors, supported by soft, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a lively herbal lift.