Beringer

Beringer Merlot 2011 Napa Valley, California

Quite a seductive perfume of Merlot with sweet scents of of vanilla, toasted bread, clove and gently smoky wood, to dark berries and Doris plums and a soft clay (fighting to be heard) earth note. Overall a youthful bouquet, fruit and oak centric. The oak and fruit messages continue onto the palate with intense dark plum and black cherry, brown spices and new wood flavours with a sweetness from the alcohol and oak. Tannins are abundant yet well placed adding a dusty chalky texture, acidity is medium+ and weight overall medium++. These attributes in conjunction with the core of fruit and bite of oak deliver a balanced, even and youthful example of Napa Merlot. Nice on its own, but likely best with food that has plenty of protein to melt some of the tannins away. Decant for service - drinking best from today and through 2026+

92 Points