Clos Pegase Merlot

Clos Pegase Merlot is a 100% Merlot from Napa Valley's Carneros appellation, bottled at 14.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned 92 points from James Suckling, who highlighted its full body, rich texture, and well-ripened black fruit character — a consistent score the wine also achieved with its 2019 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: Carneros, Napa Valley, California  |  100% Merlot  |  Winery: Clos Pegase

Production & Heritage

Clos Pegase was founded in 1983 by Jan Shrem in Calistoga, Napa Valley, with a winery building designed by acclaimed postmodern architect Michael Graves. The Merlot is sourced from Mitsuko's Vineyard in the cooler Carneros sub-region, where the fruit is hand and machine harvested with a deliberate philosophy of delaying the picking decision until the last possible moment to maximize flavor concentration — all Merlot blocks are then harvested across three consecutive days. After destemming, the juice undergoes a three-day cold soak before inoculated fermentation with twice-daily pump-overs, followed by malolactic fermentation in a combination of barrels and tanks, and twelve months of barrel aging before light filtration and bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with spiced plum and crushed red cherry before giving way to darker notes of black licorice and anise. Undertones of nutmeg, clove, and a faint dried herb quality add aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately fruit-driven, with copious dark plum and black currant dominating the early palate. At mid-palate, blackberry and briar notes build alongside rich chocolate and espresso tones. The tannins are fine and powdery, well-integrated into the wine's considerable weight and dense texture.

Finish: The finish is long and robust, carrying dark fruit and subtle tobacco notes well past the final sip. A thread of lavender and baking spice lingers alongside the supple, structured tannin framework.

How to Drink Clos Pegase Merlot

This Merlot is best served at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, and drinks beautifully on its own — give it 20 to 30 minutes of air to let the aromatics fully open. Its ripe fruit profile and structured tannins also make it versatile in wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) where the Merlot's dark fruit intensity holds up against the sweetness; a classic Sangria built with fresh stone fruit and citrus to echo the wine's plum character; or a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a blackberry garnish for a lighter warm-weather pour.

Best For

• A weeknight dinner wine that delivers Napa quality without requiring a special occasion
• Gifting to someone rediscovering Merlot as a serious varietal
• Pairing with grilled red meats or hearty braises at a dinner party
• Building a Napa Valley collection beyond Cabernet Sauvignon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Pegase Merlot taste like? It delivers a full-bodied, fruit-forward profile dominated by dark plum, black currant, and blackberry, layered with chocolate, espresso, and baking spice. Fine, powdery tannins give structure without harshness, and the finish is long with tobacco and lavender undertones.

How does Clos Pegase Merlot compare to Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot? Both are 100% Napa Valley Merlots, but Clos Pegase sources exclusively from the cooler Carneros appellation at Mitsuko's Vineyard, which tends to produce a slightly darker, more spice-driven style. Duckhorn's Napa Valley bottling draws from multiple vineyard sources across the valley and is generally considered the category benchmark, while Clos Pegase represents a single-vineyard alternative at a more accessible price tier.

Is Clos Pegase Merlot good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its rich texture, layered dark fruit, and integrated tannins make it an engaging wine to drink on its own, particularly after 20 to 30 minutes of breathing time.

Where is Clos Pegase Merlot made? Clos Pegase is located in Calistoga in Napa Valley, California, and the Merlot grapes are grown at Mitsuko's Vineyard in the Carneros AVA, a cooler sub-region at the southern end of Napa and Sonoma counties known for its maritime influence.

What foods pair well with Clos Pegase Merlot? Braised short ribs or lamb shanks complement the wine's dark fruit depth and structured tannins. Roasted duck breast with a plum glaze echoes the wine's stone fruit character. Aged Gouda or Gruyère match its richness without overwhelming the palate. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the espresso and cocoa notes on the finish. Mushroom risotto pairs well with the earthy, briar-like undertones.

What sizes does Clos Pegase Merlot come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Clos Pegase Merlot worth the price? Clos Pegase Merlot positions as a mid-range Napa Valley wine that punches above its weight — a 92-point score from James Suckling, single-vineyard Carneros fruit, and twelve months of barrel aging represent strong value relative to other estate-bottled Napa Merlots.

Why Clos Pegase Merlot?

What separates this bottling from the broader Napa Merlot field is its single-vineyard sourcing from Mitsuko's Vineyard in Carneros, where the cooler climate and extended hang time produce a wine with both concentration and aromatic nuance. The winemaking team's practice of pushing harvest timing to the final possible moment — then picking all blocks in just three days — yields a level of flavor intensity that earned consecutive 92-point scores from James Suckling. In a category too often overshadowed by Cabernet Sauvignon, this Merlot makes a credible case for the varietal's standalone merit in Napa Valley, delivering serious structure and depth at a price point that remains approachable.