Rombauer Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley (75cl, 14.8%)

Rombauer Vineyards Merlot is a Napa Valley red led by Merlot, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Rombauer has made Merlot since 1983, and since 2014 the fruit has come from the Napa side of Carneros, where clay soils resemble those of Bordeaux's Right Bank. The grapes are cold-soaked, then fermented in tank and partly in barrel before 15 to 16 months in French oak. The nose shows ripe blackberry, black cherry, plum and blueberry, with mocha, vanilla and cedar. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with black plum, blackcurrant and spice, soft tannins and fresh acidity. It ends on dark cherry and clove.