Nickel & Nickel, Oakville (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2012

The Nickel & Nickel Harris Vineyard Merlot, though similarly floral to their Suscol Ranch bottling, is firmer with more backbone and structure at this stage.  The tannins are more apparent, but still not aggressive or astringent.  It delivers a marvelous leafy character that compliments and reinforces its dark, warm fruit and dense minerality.  It’s compact and tightly wound at this stage, revealing its significant charms slowly, suggesting you should open and decant it several hours before serving or keep it in the cellar for a few years.  You won’t be disappointed — it has the requisite balance to reward your patience.