Chappellet 2018 Merlot   

2018 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley

NVWE Notes: Rich, soft-edged and varietally on-target, the nose of this Merlot melds aromas of blackberry, sweet dark plum, dark sour cherry and a note of pomegranate syrup with scents of vanilla, baking-spice and black tea above a background of graphite and dark forest earth. It is rich, yet suave in texture, as mineral and graphite elements join fruit zest and some tannic underpinnings to create a leaner mouth-feel for the wines lingering flavors of plum, mulberry, pomegranate molasses, root beer bark, bitter chocolate and baking-spice. Balanced nicely for food service, it should improve over the next eighteen months.