Pope Valley Merlot Napa Valley 2018

This is first vintage from ALL-STAR winemaker Jean Hoefliger of Alpha Omega, The Debate, AXR, Michel Rolland, and many more --- a drop-dead delicious, absolutely BANGIN’ deal today! Don’t miss -- as your trusted advisor in all things vinous (and especially Napa wines!), this is a must! We gave up trying to add up all the accolades and 95-100 point scores that Jean has accumulated over the years, but it's staggering! We have been familiar with the Pope Valley Winery for years, but they have never tasted so good!

Step into a time machine with us --- a time when a killer Napa Valley red cost no more than $28, and a simpler, more old-school way of life. 1890? 1952? Well, Pope Valley Winery IS old-school, but taste this Merlot/Cab and you might think you’re in Pomerol in 2020. We LOVED this wine, from a classic Napa producer located in the cool, northeastern hills just beyond Howell Mountain. Round, supple, and drinks WAY over its price point. There’s a reason it’s a locals' fave!

Blackberry extract, plums, and delicious focused red currant flavors, with fresh baked pie crust, terrifically lip-smacking with a whiff of sweet anise-y herbs. If you’ve ever been to the Right Bank in Bordeaux, this WILL take you there! If you haven’t, no worries, you will simply LOVE this delicious, polished, juicy, and surprisingly sophisticated red. We did, and at the price we got, we tried to get every single bottle we could. While it lasts...!

PAIRING IDEAS: Blackened salmon ROCKS with this wine, as does any solid charcuterie plate. So do both!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Old-school winery? Go old school tunes. How about Johnny Cash? Man, you cannot find a larger catalog of great old classics, are we right?