Reviews & Ratings

2012 Darioush Merlot "Signature"

Winery: Darioush

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Signature"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 5% Cabernet Franc

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $50

Cases produced: 2,540

KWG Score: 91.5 (based on 4 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: January 3, 2016

Wine Review: This opaque and very very dark ruby colored Merlot from Darioush opens with a blackberry jam and oak bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, slightly acidic and very fruit forward for Merlot. The flavor profile is an extracted blackberry with notes of black licorice and oak. I also detected hints of black cherry and blueberry. The finish is dry and its tannins build up and last for quite a long time. This is a big boy Merlot that will last for a long time in your cellar. In the short run, decant it and serve it with a well marbled ribeye. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The wine is packed with juicy dark fruit and aromatic notes of chai tea, cinnamon, fennel and bittersweet cocoa. The broad and generous palate features sweet black plum, dried blueberry, anise and intriguing woodsy notes of fresh tobacco, smoke and spice. A rather atypical Merlot showcasing impressive concentration, structure and persistence of flavors. Ages gracefully for a decade.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Darioush 2012 Merlot.