2016 Larry Hyde Estate Merlot

“Our Merlot is made more like a Pinot Noir than a typical Napa Merlot,” Christopher Hyde told me. This one is produced from Larry and Christopher’s favored Merlot clone—their Niebaum clone, which Larry had acquired some years ago from the Niebaum vineyard. Like the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is produced using native fermentation. Deep garnet-purple, the 2016 Merlot rolls effortlessly out of the glass with provocative blueberry pie, black cherry compote and black raspberry scents plus hints of lilacs, aniseed, green olives, cardamom and fertile loam. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of bright, vibrant black and red berry layers, with a very plush texture and loads of energy and freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Gorgeous! This wine is mostly sold through cellar door and a few distributors in California.