Reviews & Ratings

2011 Freemark Abbey Merlot "Napa Valley"

Winery: Freemark Abbey

Vintage: 2011

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 83% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot & 1% Cabernet Franc

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $34

Cases produced: 12,000

KWG Score: 89.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (89)

Review date: October 11, 2013

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Merlot from Napa Valley opens with fragrant black cherry bouquet with hints of gentle oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and very easy to drink. The flavor profile is a tasty black cherry with notes of plum. I also detected a hint of oak and gentle boysenberry in the background. The finish is dry and its mild tannins stick around for a little while. This Merlot would pair well with slow cooked pulled pork. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: Ruby colored, the Merlot expresses bright fruit with forward spicy sweet oak. There are layers of flavor composed of blackberry, dark cherry, raspberry, dark plum, milk chocolate and spices such as cinnamon and vanilla. Coupled with the bright fruit, there is a hint of arugula adding to the complexity. The entry and finish are very smooth with integrated fruit resembling black cherry and Santa Rosa plum. The velvety texture coupled with the richness of flavor provides a profile that delivers from initial sip, one that continues on the palate for a very long time.

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