Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon

Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2018 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, and its night-harvested fruit contributes a distinctive freshness rarely found in wines of this weight and richness.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Bordeaux-Style Red Blend  |  Winery: Merryvale Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Merryvale Vineyards is a respected Napa Valley estate with a long history in one of California's most celebrated appellations. The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon are hand harvested at night — a deliberate technique used to preserve freshness and acidity by bringing fruit to the crush pad at cooler temperatures. After a five-day cold soak to extract color and flavor gently, the wine undergoes native fermentation, relying on indigenous yeasts rather than commercial cultures. The 2018 blend comprises 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec, giving it layered complexity beyond a single-varietal bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum, blackberry, and cassis lead the nose, followed by savory layers of leather, graphite, and dried herbs. Subtle tobacco and blue fruit notes emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is marked by lively acidity that brings immediate freshness, giving way to a mid-palate rich with dark fruit, milk chocolate, and mint. Fine-grained tannins provide structure without aggression, and the texture turns velvety as flavors of anise and roasted applewood join the fruit core. The overall impression is medium to full-bodied, with layers that unfold steadily.

Finish: Lengthy and savory, with cedar, pencil shaving, and dark chocolate lingering alongside ripe blackberry. The tannins resolve cleanly, leaving a persistent earthy character and a final echo of tobacco.

How to Drink Merryvale Cabernet

This wine is best served at 60–65°F, and it benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics fully open. Sipping neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass allows the dark fruit and savory spice to express themselves completely.

• Classic Cabernet and Steak Pairing: The firm tannins and acidity cut through the richness of grilled ribeye or filet mignon.
• Braised Short Ribs: The wine's dark fruit and chocolate undertones echo the caramelized, slow-cooked flavors of braised beef.
• Aged Hard Cheeses: A wedge of aged Gruyère or Manchego highlights the wine's savory, earthy finish.

Best For

• Gifting a wine collector who values Napa Valley Cabernet
• Anchoring a dinner party with a serious, food-friendly red
• Building a cellar with age-worthy California Bordeaux-style blends
• Marking a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Merryvale Cabernet taste like? Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon delivers rich dark fruit — plum, blackberry, and cassis — layered with leather, milk chocolate, mint, and dried herbs, supported by fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.

How does Merryvale Cabernet compare to Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are Napa Valley Cabernets in a similar quality tier, but Merryvale leans into a Bordeaux-style multi-varietal blend with notable Cabernet Franc content, giving it more herbal and savory complexity. Duckhorn tends toward a richer, more fruit-forward profile with plush tannins.

Is Merryvale Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced acidity, velvety texture, and layered aromatics make it an excellent choice for sipping on its own, especially after brief decanting.

Where is Merryvale Cabernet made? Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Merryvale Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, one of the world's most renowned regions for Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Merryvale Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements the firm tannins; braised lamb shanks mirror the wine's dark fruit and spice; aged Gouda echoes its savory finish; mushroom risotto pairs with its earthy undertones; and dark chocolate desserts highlight the milk chocolate and tobacco notes on the palate.

What sizes does Merryvale Cabernet come in? Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Merryvale Cabernet worth the price? Merryvale Cabernet positions as a premium Napa Valley red, and its 93-point Wine Enthusiast rating for the 2018 vintage, along with consistent scores in the low 90s from multiple critics, suggests strong value within the competitive Napa Cabernet category.

Why Merryvale Cabernet?

Night harvesting is the detail that sets this wine apart from many of its Napa Valley peers. By picking grapes in cooler temperatures, Merryvale preserves an acidity and freshness that keeps the wine lively despite its generous body and rich dark fruit. The use of native fermentation adds another layer of site-specific character, while the multi-varietal blend — particularly the significant 17% Cabernet Franc — delivers an herbal, savory dimension that lifts this bottling beyond a straightforward California Cabernet. With consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages, including 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold medal at the Sakura Awards, this is a Napa red that earns its reputation through winemaking decisions rather than marketing alone.