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Napa Cellars Merlot 2012 Wine Review

Napa Cellars Merlot 2012

Napa Cellars Merlot 2012

Napa Valley, California, United States

Community Score:89/100

Community Reviews: 13

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Price: $24.95

Drink: 2013-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14.1%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Napa Cellars

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 90/100

Mocha and dark chocolate on the nose with luscious black fruit unfolding the palate and mouth-filling juiciness. This wine was aged in 100% French oak, 46% of which was new. There were 988 barrels produced of this wine. A intense, deep Merlot offering dark fruit and toasty oak. Finishes long and smooth with blackberry and cedar smoke. Perfect for a rare, juicy steak tonight.

Merlot food pairings: prime rib, grilled leg of lamb, pork, roasted turkey.

Best Beef Wine

This Napa Cellars Merlot 2012 was reviewed on December 12, 2015 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2014  2011  2011  2010  2006 

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Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 665372
  • $28.04 
  • Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Douglas McMillan rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Cedar, violets, vanilla, and dark chocolate along with a little dark cherry. Flavours are towards they cherry spectrum, and are juicy and smooth. There's also a distinct chocolate taste to it, making this a bit like a gourmet chocolate covered cherry. A very solid example of California Merlot.
Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

A nice deep Merlot from the Napa valley. Rich dark cherry, vanilla and licorice on the nose. It is well balanced and fruity. Roasted meats would pair well with this wine making it a perfect fall and winter choice.
Valérie Dufour - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Nice nose full of Pepper and red liquorice.
Well-balanced. Complex. Nice fruit.
A really good wine with depth and a long finale. Still you feel the alcohol, but will be perfect with a roast.
Marco Giovanetti rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Black fruit paste with spices and dark chocolate. Full body, generous in alcohol with a dense structure. Powerful finish
Terry Jeans - Certified S rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Ripe red fruit and spice, with alcohol on the nose. Full-bodied and decent tannins that make this a rich and pleasant wine. Would want to pair with a nice rare steak or a meaty stew.
Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

A rich fragrant Merlot. Aromas of rich cherry, and a hint of vanilla and spice. Nice full flavours including cooked jammy fruit, with a bit of heat from the alcohol, and a nice long finish.
Kristin Perrin rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Perfumy, floral, plummy and black cherry notes, licoricy, slight green undertone
Powerful and jammy palate with the above mentioned nuances, velvety tannins
Lasting boozy finish.

Beef stew anyone? This one would put me to bed on its own.
Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Dark cherry, dark fruit, vanilla, and alcohol on the nose. Palate displays beautiful dark fruits with little currants, and sweet vanilla. A tasty Merlot that would be be sure to please your friends this Fall and Winter. Enjoy now. Tasted October 2014. 89 points. Matt Steeves @QuercusVino
Wineboy rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Plummy with a sweet core.

2 Members would buy this wine again

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