Merlot, Peju Winery

black plum • cocoa • velvety

Plush Merlot with black plum, ripe cherry, and blackberry layered with cocoa, vanilla, and warm baking spice. The texture is soft and velvety through the middle, but there is enough structure underneath to keep the wine composed and balanced. The 2022 vintage brought generous fruit in Napa, and this wine spent about 16 months in French and American oak, roughly 40% new, which adds polish and depth while letting the dark fruit stay expressive.

As Napa Valley began gaining international attention in the late 1970s and early 1980s, producers started focusing on the Bordeaux varieties that performed best in the region’s climate. Merlot quickly proved it could thrive here, developing generous fruit and a softer texture while still holding the structure that Napa wines became known for.

Fun Fact: The name 'Merlot' comes from the French word merle, meaning blackbird, a reference to the grape’s deep color and the birds that are famously fond of the fruit.