Merryvale’s story actually first begins in 1933. Originally called Sunnyhill Winery, the winery produced bulk wine into the 70s when Christian Brothers bought the winery. Then in 1983 the first red table wine called ‘Merryvale’ was produced and a few years later Bill Harlan bought the production facility in St. Helena. Moving forward to 1988, the winery was renamed ‘Sunny St. Helena’ which was renamed to ‘Merryvale’ in 1991. Merryvale is known for good quality Sauvignon Blanc and their famous red blend ‘Profile.’ Winemaker Simon Faury carefully hand sorts each grape in crafting his wines. On my visit, I was particularly impressed with their new release of Sauvignon Blanc, which had bright fruit and nice effervescence.
Faury also made one of the Napa Malbecs I’ve tried from the esteemed 2012 vintage. He also nailed it with his 2012 Carneros Pinot Noir which is bursting with ripe red fruit flavors. Look for the rock solid lineup of Merryvale wines at great Northwest wine shops like Total Wines, Pete’s Wine Shop and Esquin. Here are the new releases from Merryvale #merryvalevineyeards
2013 Merryvale Sauvignon Blanc-The wine was aged in 90% neutral oak and is blended with 11% Semillon. It was sourced from the Juliana, Riverview, Larkmead, and Bentz vineyards. Lovely aromas begin with grapefruit, starfruit and gooseberry. Palate has starfruit, Meyer lemon and grapefruit. Lively and delicious, one of the best Napa Sav Blancs I’ve tried this year. Drink 2015-2018. -92
2013 Merryvale Carneros Chardonnay- Sourced primarily from the Stanley Ranch vineyards, as well as select lots from the esteemed Hyde vineyard. The wine spent 10 months in French oak barrels, and underwent native malolactic fermentation. It opens with aromas of buttered popcorn, pear and mushroom on the nose. Flavors of pear and red delicious with mushroom persist with vibrant minerality and rich mouthfeel. Drink 2015-2020. -91
2012 Merryvale Carneros Pinot Noir- This wine was sourced from their Estate Vineyard on the historic Stanly Ranch, Amaral, Mitsuko, Saintsbury, and Huichica Hills vineyards. It represents an excellent value for Calfornia Pinot. The wine opens with lovely aromatics of nutmeg, red cherry, oak and red currant. Flavors of cherry cola, raspberry and cranberry persist. This lithe quaff is simply delicious now as I can’t see any point in cellaring it. Drink 2015-2020 -92
2012 Merryvale ‘Stanley Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The Stanley Ranch is known for capturing great Pinot Noir fruit. The wine saw 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new). The winemaker captured the essence of the Burgundian style here with mushroom and forest floor on the nose, alongside raspberry and red cherry. The palate has flavors of raspberry, red cherry and mushroom. Nice density and weight, alongside vibrant minerality. Drink 2016-2022 -92
2012 Merryvale Merlot- This wine opens with more of a herbal nose with milk chocolate, black cherry and dill. There are flavors of raspberry, black cherry and milk chocolate. Delicious, with a striking minerality and moderate tannins that will dissipate in a few years, as this is somewhat shut down for the moment. Drink 2017-2027. -92
2010 Merryvale Cabernet-This wine is composed of 78% Cabernet, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and is farmed from their Estate Vineyard located in the hills high above the town of St. Helena, as well as fruit from other great Napa vineyards, including Salvador, Linda Vista, Stagecoach, Sugarloaf, Broken Rock, Kenefick, and Larkmead. The wine was aged for 23 months in 50% new French oak barrels. It opens with lovely red bell pepper with blackberry and anise on the nose. Powerful and mineral driven wine with flavors of anise, black olive and black cherry. Balanced and drinking beautifully now. Drink 2015-2025. -93
2012 Merryvale Saint Helena Cabernet- This wine was sourced from Merryvale's St. Helena Estate Vineyard which lies on an eastern ridge overlooking the Napa Valley at almost on thousand feet elevation. Made of 90% Cabernet, with the rest Bordeaux varietals. The wine opens with lovely aromatics reminiscent of anise, blackberry and cassis with coffee on the nose. Palate has anise and graphite with blackberry, black cherry, black olive and creme de cassis. Delicious but needs a ton of time. Drink 2018-2028. -93
2011 Merryvale 'Profile'- In this year they opted for an interesting blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 19% Petit Verdot, 15% Malbec. This blend is made from their choicest fruit farmed from the Stagecoach vineyard and the Kenefick vineyard, as well as nearly half from their Schlatter Family Estate Vineyard. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation, was racked twice, and aged 20 months in French oak barrels (90% new, 10% second fill) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The wine opens with aromas reminiscent of red bell pepper, spicebox and milk chocolate. Palate has anise, crème de cassis, blackberry, mocha and is done in the backwards style. This reminds me of a great Pauillac from a cold vintage like 2007 or 2011. Herbaceous and mineral driven wine that will need some time for the fruit to integrate. Drink 2019-2035. -93
2012 Merryvale Malbec- This impressive wine was sourced from a high elevation vineyard on the Mayacamas Mountains. This is the first Merryvale Malbec ever made. Fruit was hand picked and double sorted before going under cold soak. The wine opens with a dense nose of dark chocolate and blackberry. Palate has nice density with blackberry, mocha and graphite. Very impressive wine and one of the best pure Napa Malbecs I’ve had this year. Drink 2015-2027 -93