Arietta Hudson Vineyards Merlot 2014

This is the best domestic Merlot we’ve tried in some time. It comes from 30-year-old vines on the legendary Hudson Vineyards in cooler Carneros, blended with a little bit of Cabernet Franc (7%), and then aged in 69% new French oak for 22 months. For good measure, Andy Erikson (Favia, Dalla Valle, Dancing Hares) is the winemaker. Complex and pure: plums, tarragon, pepper, structured tannins, and a long finish. What Merlot should taste like!