Self Isolation : Day # 17

2007 Darioush Merlot

Stemming from years of over production and a market overly saturated by poor-quality renditions, Merlot has suffered from a bad public image in the United States over the past 15+ years. And what a shame that is. Merlot is one of the world’s greatest red varietals, making up the base of some of the most sought-after bottles on the planet.

This 13-year-old bottle from Napa Valley star Darioush is at a terrific point in its life, showing expressive aromatics of ripe dark plum, black cherry and hints of strawberry with suggestions of leather and vanilla bean. Full-bodied and rich on the palate with ripe flavors of plum, red fruits, leather, oak, and spice over smooth, fine-grained tannins. It’s no Duckhorn ‘Three Palms’ or Pétrus, but nevertheless this is a great representation of the grape and proof that Merlot deserves a little more love from us all.