Freemark Abbey 2018 Napa Valley Merlot 750ml

If you want to know what’s up in modern Napa, check out this merlot based mix: 91.5% merlot, 5.8% cabernet sauvignon and 2.5% petit verdot, of which 77 percent is mountain fruit from Keyes Vineyard on Howell Mountain (63%) and Stagecoach Vineyard (14%) on Atlas Mountain. The remainder comes from the Oakville, Calistoga, and Rutherford area on the floor of Napa Valley. The mountain fruit has transformed this wine, giving it more purpose, far beyond the merlot mould. The palate is enticing with medium spice, perfect oak, and a mix of blue and red fruit that assimilate most winemaking and barrel work. You can drink this now with food or cellar through 2030 and beyond.

Score: 91 points -- Gismondi On Wine, March 2021