Swanson Napa Valley Merlot 2011

I have had a bottle of the Swanson Napa Valley Merlot in my wine fridge for months waiting for a special occasion to break it open. This is a wine that costs $30 from the winery and $29 at Total Wines and More. Even with a Total Wines coupon, this is in a price range that I do not often venture. I happened onto this at Costco during a sale and I cannot report the price since I have lost my receipt, but I am sure it was less than $20.

Sunday, I declared it was a special occasion. Perhaps I was exuberant about my Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Giants - I do not know- but I opened the bottle. The good news is that I still have several other bottles of wine that I am keeping for a special occasion.

Swanson Merlot is made from Merlot grapes from Oakville in Napa Valley, blended with some Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford and Yountville, along with some Petit Verdot from the Oak Knoll Distrct. This is everything I like in a Merlot. The dark colored wine has flavors of black fruit, plum, and earthiness. I found it to be full bodied with moderate tannins and a smooth finish. I think this is a Merlot that will appeal to most Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers and would definitely pair this with prime rib. The wine has 14.6% alcohol.

SC Wine Joe rating = 90 points

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