2013 Vintner Select Merlot, Pride Mountain Vineyards

2013 Vintner Select Merlot

Aromas of black cherries, Christmas spice, pine boughs and a lovely minerality leap from the glass of this exceptional Merlot. In the mouth, it will be the rare taster who can identify this as being a 100% varietal wine. There is a steady build of both structure and flavor to a full-bodied intensely-profound lingering chalky finish that screams out “I am Merlot and I will be King!” Despite the unabashed size of this wine, there is enough acid to create an enticing freshness that balances the rich concentration. Dark savory flavors of black cherry, spice, forest floor and tapenade. If Merlot could always be like this, there would be far fewer cabernet drinkers.

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Appellation:	Sonoma County
Vintage:	2013
Harvest:	October 2013
Fermentation:	Stainless Steel
Cooperage:	French Oak
Blend:	100% Merlot
Alcohol:	14.8%
Bottling:	August 2015
Production:	534 cases
Release Date:	January 2016
Release Price:	$80.00

Reviews

Wine Advocate: October 2016 - Rating: 95

The 2013 Merlot Vintner’s Select was sourced from clone 3 of Merlot and aged 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine oﬀers plenty of mocha, mulberry, black cherry and blacker fruits, some licorice and truﬄe, full-bodied opulence, and a heady (14.8% alcohol), nicely textured, long ﬁnish. It is delicious now and should continue to drink well for another 12-15+ years.
- Robert M. Parker, Jr. (October, 2016)
Wine Spectator: November 30, 2016 - Rating: 90

Opens with a plush, rich texture and lingering flavors of red currant, orange zest and spicy mocha before slowly taking on a firm, complex structure. Finishes with a note of minerally earth. Drink now through 2026. 534 cases made.–TF
The Wine Advocate: Issue 227, October 2016 - Rating: 95

The 2013 Merlot Vintner’s Select was sourced from clone 3 of Merlot and aged 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine offers plenty of mocha, mulberry, black cherry and blacker fruits, some licorice and truffle, full-bodied opulence, and a heady (14.8% alcohol), nicely textured, long finish. It is delicious now and should continue to drink well for another 12-15+ years.
Wine Enthusiast: February 2017 - Rating: 92

This wine confirms the producer's prowess with the variety, coaxing a soft, integrated expression that's full bodied in a generosity of plum, black pepper and cinnamon. Structured, it shows aging potential and an earned place at the table. - V.B.

2013 Vintner Select Merlot

Reviews

Wine Advocate: October 2016 - Rating: 95

Wine Spectator: November 30, 2016 - Rating: 90

The Wine Advocate: Issue 227, October 2016 - Rating: 95

Wine Enthusiast: February 2017 - Rating: 92