Napa Plush: Emmolo Merlot 2021 — Velvet Fruit with Napa Depth

Tasting Notes

Picture smooth entrance, building into ripe black plums, lush dark berries, sweet spice, and savory notes of leather and earthy bread. The tannins are finely powdery, with muted French oak weaving through it all. This is Merlot that whispers Napa elegance, not shout it.

Meet the Winemaker

Jenny Wagner crafts this from family-root-stock heritage—and you feel it. The grapes come from her maternal family’s legacy vineyards in Napa’s Oak Knoll District. Crop thinning and gravelly soils help the fruit ripen long and rich, delivering Merlot that’s plush, earthy, and unapologetically Napa.

Wine Specs

• Varietal: 100% Merlot

• Vintage: 2021

• Region: Napa Valley AVA – Oak Knoll District, California

• Aging: Refined extraction and aging in new French oak barrels

• ABV: Not specified (likely mid-14% range)

• Bottle Size: 750 ml

• Serving Temp: 16–18 °C—let the plush side out

Critic & Community Highlights

• 91 pts – Natalie MacLean: “Rich, full-bodied, smooth… ripe black plums, dark berries and mocha.”
  

• 90 pts – Wine Spectator: “Lithe and sleek up front… black cherry, spiced cinnamon and tomato leaf flavors… building broad-shouldered tannins."
  

• Community Notes: Rich dark fruit, mahogany smoke, leather, brown spice, balanced construction with elegant dusty tannins.
  

Food Pairings

• Umami-forward dishes: mushroom risotto, grilled sausage, pork chops

• Earthy Italian classics: eggplant Parmesan, ratatouille

• Nutty cheeses like aged Gouda or truffled Pecorino

Why You Need This Bottle

Because Merlot deserves better than generic. Emmolo Merlot 2021 delivers Napa legacies, terroir whispers, and refined power—all wrapped in a velvety, approachable frame. It’s Merlot that reminds you why Napa matters—and Merlot can still rule.

Add Emmolo Merlot 2021 to your cart—free shipping or club perks available. Decant gently, sip thoughtfully, and let Napa’s best Merlot flex in your glass.