Silverado Vineyards Mt George Merlot 2018

Silverado Vineyards Mt George Merlot 2018 is a single-vineyard Napa Valley Merlot from Coombsville at 14.7% ABV in a 750ml bottle. It earned 93 points from The Tasting Panel and a Gold medal at the London Wine Competition, underscoring its standing among the top Merlots in the appellation. Grown on the western slopes of an ancient volcano, this wine draws unmistakable mineral character from deep volcanic soils — a signature that sets Mt. George apart from the broader Napa Merlot field.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.7%  |  Origin: Coombsville, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Silverado Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Silverado Vineyards was founded in 1981 by Diane Disney Miller and Ron Miller on the eastern benchlands of Napa Valley. The Mt. George Vineyard, located in the Coombsville AVA, occupies a site where some of the earliest grape plantings in the valley took root during the 19th century. The vineyard climbs volcanic slopes with deep, gravelly soils derived from volcanic shale, tufa, and ash — geology that imparts a pronounced mineral backbone to the fruit. This 2018 release is 100% Merlot, fermented and then aged for 16 months in French oak barrels before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe mulberry and dark plum, followed by layers of coffee bean, pencil shavings, and sweet clove. Underneath, dried bay leaf and thyme contribute an herbaceous savory dimension that signals the wine's volcanic terroir.

Taste: On the palate, concentrated blackberry and cassis meet a chalky mineral core that carries through from entry to mid-palate. Pomegranate and ripe berry fruit weave through dusty, fine-grained tannins, while tobacco leaf and subtle oak add depth. The texture is silky and the structure well-knit — bold but with no hard edges.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of dark fruit, dried herbs, and a distinctive chalky minerality. Tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a savory impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Mt. George Merlot

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, with 30 minutes of decanting to open up its aromatic complexity. It drinks beautifully on its own, but a slight chill and wide-bowled glass bring forward its mineral and fruit interplay. For wine-based cocktails, the Mt. George Merlot's structure and fruit intensity make it well-suited to a Kalimotxo (its bold dark fruit holds up against cola's sweetness), a Sangria Roja (the herbaceous notes amplify fresh citrus and stone fruit additions), or a classic Mulled Wine in cooler months (clove, bay leaf, and plum notes harmonize naturally with traditional mulling spices).

Best For

• Serving alongside a grilled lamb or prime rib dinner
• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast seeking single-vineyard depth
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Coombsville reds from benchmark vintages
• Hosting a Merlot-focused blind tasting to showcase volcanic terroir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mt. George Merlot taste like? This 2018 vintage delivers concentrated blackberry, cassis, and plum flavors alongside a distinctive chalky mineral core and fine dusty tannins. Savory herbs, tobacco leaf, and sweet clove add complexity to its silky, full-bodied frame.

How does Mt. George Merlot compare to Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot? Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot is widely considered the benchmark Napa Merlot producer, offering a rounder, fruit-forward profile from blended vineyard sources. The Silverado Mt. George expression trades some of that plushness for a more mineral-driven, terroir-specific character shaped by Coombsville's volcanic soils and a single-vineyard focus.

Is Mt. George Merlot good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its silky tannins, layered fruit, and mineral backbone make it an engaging wine to drink on its own, especially after a brief decant to allow its aromatic complexity to fully emerge.

Where is Mt. George Merlot made? It is produced by Silverado Vineyards in the Coombsville AVA on the eastern side of Napa Valley, California. The Mt. George Vineyard sits on the western slopes of an ancient volcano, where deep gravelly soils of volcanic shale, tufa, and ash define the terroir.

What foods pair well with Mt. George Merlot? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal savory notes. Aged Gouda or Comté echo its minerality. Braised short ribs match its bold tannin structure. Mushroom risotto aligns with the earthy, volcanic-soil character. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage mirrors the coffee and plum undertones on the finish.

What sizes does Mt. George Merlot come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Mt. George Merlot worth the price? Mt. George Merlot positions as a mid-to-premium single-vineyard Napa Valley wine, and the 93-point score from The Tasting Panel plus a London Wine Competition Gold suggest it delivers quality above its price tier. For a site-specific Coombsville Merlot with genuine volcanic terroir character, it represents strong value within Napa's competitive landscape.

Why Mt. George Merlot?

What distinguishes this wine is terroir specificity you rarely find at this level. The Mt. George Vineyard's volcanic shale and tufa soils — remnants of an ancient volcano in the cool Coombsville AVA — stamp every glass with a chalky, mineral signature that most Napa Merlots simply cannot replicate. The 2018 vintage, widely regarded as an excellent year across Napa Valley, produced a wine that balances power and finesse: bold enough for the 93-point nod from The Tasting Panel, yet silky and approachable enough to drink well now. For anyone serious about single-vineyard Merlot from one of Napa's most distinctive sites, this bottling makes a compelling case.