Merlot in general takes a back seat to cabernet sauvignon, particularly in the Napa Valley, yet merlot can soar at times and eclipse the more expensive red. Clos Pegase has produced a well-crafted merlot for its Mitsuko vineyard in the Carneros district of the Napa Valley. It’s cooler in Carneros than the rest of the Napa Valley, and merlot thrives on the cool breezes off the San Pablo Bay. Clos Pegase Mitsuko is an impressive wine with layers of ripe black cherry and plum fruit, and fresh acidity to balance the sweetness. The tannins are firm but nicely integrated, and the overall balance of the wine and the mouthfeel are exquisite. A platinum award-winner at the San Diego Wine Challenge.
Clos Pegase, Carneros (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2013
By Robert Whitley