Buccella Merlot 2016

Cellar for 15 years or more. It can benefit from decanting. The Bucella winery was founded in Napa Valley in 2002 by Bill and Alicia Deem. Their love for wine had been clear since 1990 when they shared a bottle of Gaja over their first date. This small winery is now widely known for its rich and intense wines produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Rhône varieties. The wine is made up of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes come from two hillside vineyards in the famous Hyde Vineyard, in Carneros, where yields are low, typically less than two tons per acre. The wine is aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak. It is a young, fresh, and accessible wine, despite having the typical richness and roundness of Merlot. Buccella Merlot is fresh and vibrant and has a deep and captivating color. The nose is dominated by seductive aromas of black cardamom, nutmeg, plum and blackberry, along with purple flowers such as violets and lavender, and sweet spices. On the palate, it is soft but powerful, savory, and structured, with flavors of raspberry jam and plum concentrate. In the end it remains with a long and intense flavor of red fruits. Try it with lamb, beef or aged Pecorino cheese.