Sterling Vineyards Merlot Napa (75cl, 14.5%)

A Napa Valley Merlot bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle, sourced primarily from volcanic Howell Mountain vineyards. The blend is 91% Merlot, 8% Petite Sirah and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sterling Vineyards has produced Napa Valley Merlot for more than five decades. Grapes come mainly from Bancroft Vineyard on Howell Mountain, plus BV Ranch 12, Barlow Vineyard and Bear Flats Ranch in Calistoga. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with pump-overs two to three times daily; the wine is pressed near dryness, then moved to barrels. The nose shows blackberry, blueberry, black plum, black cherry, toasty oak, nutmeg, clove and hot-stone minerality. The palate is plush with blackberry and cherry, then cocoa, toffee, mocha, cedar and rosewood. The finish lingers with dark cherry, vanilla and cedar.