Barlow Vineyards Merlot Calistoga, Napa Valley 2012

Family owned and farmed Calistoga vineyard and winery. They sell most of their grapes and keep enough to make a few hundred cases of really good wine. This is 100% Merlot from the ripe, lush 2012 vintage. Aged in 1/3rd new French oak. Get black cherry compote, toasty oak, licorice, nutmeg and cocoa. Low acid and gentle tannins. A crowd pleaser.