Toad Hollow Vineyards, Sonoma County (California) Merlot 2019

 I’ve recently become reacquainted with Toad Hollow and pleased that it is still offering excellent value.  From vineyards in Russian River and other parts of Sonoma County, this 100% Merlot was aged for 18 months in a combination of used French and American oak.  After being decanted and aerated, it displays ripe black fruit but with intriguing background notes of coffee, mocha, and a hint of dried herbs.  Medium full bodied, it incomes across as a firm, solid well-balanced Merlot with just enough tannin to assure it will age quite well.  Overall, it strikes me as a classic, structured, ripe but balanced Merlot rather than the common overly jammy, juicy style.  It will show best with food.