2005 Swanson Oakville Merlot

Oakville, Napa Valley, California

Swanson Oakville Merlot may not be an undiscovered red wine gem, but it is unquestionably exemplary and among the best in its class. Swanson Vineyards is a family-owned winery established in 1985. As Napa Valley’s largest producer of estate-grown Merlot, Swanson has built its reputation on this superb wine. Its two estate vineyards are Oakville Cross Road Vineyard, adjacent to Opus One and Silver Oak, and Schmidt Ranch, lying halfway between Heitz Martha's Vineyard and Dominus. This 2005 vintage blended small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with Merlot.

Swanson Oakville Merlot is dark ruby red in color with a nose of dried cherry, raspberry, blackberry and vanilla. Winemaker Chris Phelps describes the wine eloquently: "A true meeting of the Oakville and Bordeaux minds, this wine retains the weight and texture of the New World, with the nuances and complexity of Pomerol." It was aged for 20 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, 40% new. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will improve with age over the next 6-8 years. The finish is long, round and smooth. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines rated it 90 points! Restaurant Wine gave it 4 stars and called it "best ever Merlot from Swanson!"

Enjoy Swanson Oakville Merlot with roast duck, grilled sausages, pork chops, grilled vegetables and cheeses.