Some say Cabernet is King, especially in the Napa Valley but let’s see how our Merlot stacks up! 

We created this fun side by side set so you can compare directly for yourself! In learning about & loving wine, the very best way to improve your palate and figure out what you like most is what us Somm’s call direct comparisons, which is tasting, comparing & contrasting wines right next to each other. When tasting side by side many things become very apparent that are sometimes hard to detect when drinking the wines on their own. Aromas, winemaking techniques and flavor compounds jump out of the glass when directly compared next to each other. It’s actually a great trick of the trade!

These varietals of Cabernet & Merlot, which hail from the beloved Bordeaux region in France, are often thought of in very distinct ways and we wanted to create a great wine set so you can taste them side by side and grow your palate. 

 Merlot is often known to be ripe, supple & softer than Cabernet offering up plum and cherry flavors. Known to be smooth and tasty but not always as bold as it’s counterpart, Cabernet. But, Merlot is a highly underrated grape and it actually accounts for a large percentage of the make up of many of Bordeaux’s & Napa Valley’s finest wines! Our Merlot is of special interest, being from a prestigious vineyard in St. Helena, Napa Valley and vinified in new French Oak Barrels. It offers big character and flavor and we love hearing often that it truly is a ‘Cab drinkers Merlot’!  

Big bold black cherry is accentuated by a nice lift mid palate and brought home with velvety tannin with a touch of grip and nice oak spice notes. This merlot is a game changer! 

 Ok, now let's compare side by side to the Cabernet! 

Cabernet Sauvignon is a phenomenally hearty grape that grows relatively easily and requires minimum manipulation to make it great, just one of the many reasons vintners love it so much! Cabernet has big bold black fruit flavors that people the world over enjoy like blackberry, cassis and blueberry compote. The tannin structure of Cabernet is bigger due to the thicker skins of the Cabernet grape, which is actually a hybrid vine of both Cabernet Franc & Sauvignon Blanc. This amazing tannin structure gives Cabernet it’s bold profile, big fruit character and ageability. Cabernet checks all the boxes when it comes to great red wine which is why it is the number one most popular grape in the world!  

You'll find flavors of dark chocolate, blackberry, cedar, sweet tobacco, vanilla and spiced oak with just a hint of vineyard dust on an otherwise silky finish. 

Keep in mind that factors such as vineyard site & winemaking techniques can make a world of difference in the profile of these grapes. As evidenced in our St. Helena Ibex Vineyard Merlot! 

 Fun fact, even though at times these wines ‘compete’ they are more often than not friends and blending partners in some of the world’s greatest wines! They are incredibly complimentary together as showcased in Bordeaux & Napa Valley where the world looks for some of the greatest examples of red wines. 

Once you compare & contrast take notes, send them our way, we can’t wait to hear you think! 

2017 IBEX SINGLE VINEYARD MERLOT: 
Our single-vineyard Napa Valley merlot is grown in our award winning Ibex Vineyard in St. Helena. Sustainably farmed and hand-harvested at the base of Spring Mountain, our vines thrive among some of the most celebrated cabernet vineyards in Napa Valley. Harvested late for prime ripeness, this wine is aged in new French oak for a luscious, complex, full-bodied expression of merlot. Merlot from this vineyard has won 16 gold medals in only 3 vintages!

Recent Gold:
2020 Sunset International Wine Competition | GOLD MEDAL | 91 Pts

2016 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Our **Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon** is sustainably farmed in Napa‚ s famed St. Helena AVA. Known for hot days, cool evening breezes and foggy mornings, the region has the ideal soil for making our rich, silky Cabernet. *This limited-production wine has the power and structure of an iconic Napa Valley Cabernet, yet is unique in its grace and subtlety.* Aged in French oak, our world-class cab is drinkable immediately and will become even more complex and nuanced over time.

Recent Gold
2020 Sunset International Wine | GOLD 92 points
2020 East Meets West Wine Challenge | GOLD 94 points