Full Review

Jarvis

Jarvis
2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.6%
96 Points
Platinum Medal
Superlative
$310
2022 Best Merlot

Jarvis
2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.6%
Ruby black color. Aromas of chocolate raisins and prunes, carob bar, spiced berries, and bacon bits and pipe tobacco with a fat body and a very long cassis tart a la mode, toffee, and chocolate fudge finish. An elegant, satiny Merlot that is drinking exquisitely right now.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Juicy & Smooth
Aroma Aroma: chocolate raisins and prunes, carob bar, spiced berries, and bacon bits and pipe tobacco
Taste Flavor: cassis tart a la mode, toffee, and chocolate fudge
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years Enjoy on its own
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: An elegant, satiny Merlot that is drinking exquisitely right now.

The Producer

Jarvis Estate

The Producer
2970 Monticello Rd
Napa, CA 94558
USA
1 707-255-5280

Their Portfolio

95 Jarvis 2016 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $160.00.
89 Jarvis 2016 Estate, Petit Verdot, Napa Valley 14.4% (USA) $195.00.
94 Jarvis 2016 Lake William Red Blend, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $270.00.
BR Jarvis 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $210.00. - Bronze Medal
94 Jarvis 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $230.00.
89 Jarvis 2013 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $400.00.
94 Jarvis 2019 Will Jarvis’ Science Project, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 14.3% (USA) $220.00.
93 Jarvis 2018 Tempranillo, Napa Valley 13.5% (USA) $95.00.
95 Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley 14.3% (USA) $190.00.
96 Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley 14.6% (USA) $310.00.
91 Jarvis 2020 Estate, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $95.00.
93 Jarvis 2020 Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $175.00.
94 Jarvis 2020 Unfiltered Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $195.00.
91 Jarvis 2019 Estate, Tempranillo, Napa Valley 14.3% (USA) $110.00.
93 Jarvis 2018 Lake William Red Blend, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $325.00.
93 Jarvis 2018 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $190.00.
96 Jarvis 2018 Estate, Petit Verdot, Napa Valley 13.9% (USA) $230.00.
92 Jarvis 2021 Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.7% (USA) $105.00.
94 Jarvis 2021 Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $195.00.
94 Jarvis 2021 Unfiltered Finch Hollow, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.9% (USA) $215.00.
93 Jarvis 2014 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 13.9% (USA) $185.00.
94 Jarvis 2015 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 14.6% (USA) $180.00.
93 Jarvis 2013 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.7% (USA) $215.00.
94 Jarvis 2014 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.7% (USA) $210.00.
93 Jarvis 2014 Estate, Petit Verdot, Napa Valley 14.9% (USA) $205.00.
93 Jarvis 2019 Estate, Merlot, Napa Valley 14.3% (USA) $190.00.
93 Jarvis 2019 Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 14.3% (USA) $230.00.
93 Jarvis 2020 Tempranillo, Napa Valley 14.6% (USA) $120.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.