2009 Merlot, Cafaro Cellars
Napa Valley, California, United States
Softly mature, generous and quietly polished, this Napa Merlot has the rounded charm that makes the variety so inviting. Plum, black cherry and dark berry fruit sit beside mellow notes of cocoa, cedar, tobacco leaf and sweet spice, giving the wine a warm, settled feel. The palate is smooth and supple, with softened tannins, savoury depth and a graceful finish that feels ready for a good meal and an unhurried evening.
For when: the roast is resting, the candles are lit, and the bottle wants to do the talking.
Pairs with: roast lamb, grilled steak, duck, mushroom ragù, beef stew, aged cheddar or herb-roasted vegetables.
Cafaro Cellars is the work of Joe Cafaro, a long-standing Napa winemaker whose career reaches back to 1969 and includes time at respected estates such as Chappellet, Keenan and Dalla Valle. His own family vineyard sits on a hillside close to the southern edge of the Stag’s Leap District, giving the wines a small-estate feel and a sense of quiet Napa craftsmanship.
Whats in the bottle
Merlot