Swanson Merlot Oakville 2010

This isn't a wine to age. It's soft and appealing in its charms, offering drink-me-now cherries, red currants, herbs and sandalwood. The winemaker blended it with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot, which gives it structural and flavor complexities. - S.H. Swanson's 2010 Merlot reveals a hint of tomato skins intertwined with red and black fruits, soft tannins, an attractive underbelly and texture, good length and a spicy, plump, round, generous mouthfeel. It is an attractive, seductive Merlot to drink over the next 5-6 years.

The 2009 Swanson Oakville Merlot is the perfect reminder of why so many serious red wine drinkers like Merlot. Visually, aromatically and on the palate, the wine is plush and generous. The color is dark garnet with a purple edge. The nose is captivating, with aromas of fresh, ripe black cherry, plum, raspberry, and well-integrated toasted oak. In the mouth, very ripe black and red fruits surround a core of velvety tannin. The finish is enticing, sily-smooth, long and harmonious. This Merlot will continue to improve in the bottle, with optimum drinkability from 2013-2017. - Chris Phelps, Winemaker ** SOLD OUT **

The 2009 Swanson Oakville Merlot is the perfect reminder of why so many serious red wine drinkers like Merlot. Visually, aromatically and on the palate, the wine is plush and generous. The color is dark garnet with a purple edge. The nose is captivating, with aromas of fresh, ripe black cherry, plum, raspberry, and well-integrated toasted oak. In the mouth, very ripe black and red fruits surround a core of velvety tannin. The finish is enticing, sily-smooth, long and harmonious. This Merlot will continue to improve in the bottle, with optimum drinkability from 2013-2017. - Chris Phelps, Winemaker

The 2008 Swanson Oakville Merlot is a charming wine, reminiscent of the Right Bank of Bordeaux than Napa Valley. The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill out the palate nicely. In the mouth, look for raspberry, black cherry, and red licorice. A graceful top note of verve and spice is contributed by the Petit Verdot. Velvet-smooth and long on the finish. Should continue to improve in the bottle with optimum drinkability continuing through 2017. - WineryCOMPOSITION:Merlot 90%Cabernet Sauvignon 8%Petit Verdot 2%BARREL REGIME:20 months in barrels: 50% American, 50% French oak barrels (30% new)VINIFICATION:Cold Soak, extended maceration ** SOLD OUT **

Swanson Merlot is a charming wine, reminiscent more of the Right Bank of Bordeaux than Napa Valley. The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill the palate nicely. In the mouth look for raspberry, black cherry, and red licorice. The Petite Verdot contributes a graceful top note of verve and spice. Velvet-smooth and long on the finish.

The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill the palate nicely.

The 2008 Swanson Oakville Merlot is a charming wine, reminiscent of the Right Bank of Bordeaux than Napa Valley. The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill out the palate nicely. In the mouth, look for raspberry, black cherry, and red licorice. A graceful top note of verve and spice is contributed by the Petit Verdot. Velvet-smooth and long on the finish. Should continue to improve in the bottle with optimum drinkability continuing through 2017. - WineryCOMPOSITION:Merlot 90%Cabernet Sauvignon 8%Petit Verdot 2%BARREL REGIME:20 months in barrels: 50% American, 50% French oak barrels (30% new)VINIFICATION:Cold Soak, extended maceration