Chappellet's 2010 Merlot

I find myself surprised again as I write about another decent Merlot from Napa Valley.  While I have been in the "Sideways" camp on Merlot for a long time, the recent experience with 2009 Sunstone Merlot in the space of 3 weeks.  Chappellet has not shown well for me in the past 12 months to the point that I recently left their wine club.  However, this Merlot exceeded my expectations and delivered a big, fruit forward mouthful of black cherries, with supple tanins and had a pleasant, medium finish.  The wine is 9% Cabernet and 2% Petit Verdot, giving it the appealing complexity of a blended red.

$$ / ++

This wine is not easy to find.  You can order it from their wine club for roughly $30 or find previous vintages on wine searcher.

If you like this wine, you might also like:

• 2009 Sunstone Merlot