The 2017 Merlot is soft, racy and impeccably balanced. To be sure, in 2017 the Merlot is a bit smaller-scaled than it can be, and yet all the elements meld together effortlessly. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and licorice are some of the many notes that are laced together in this delicious and inviting Merlot from Barnett.

The 2017 Merlot is a solid effort, offering pretty notes of black cherries, black tea, leafy herbs, and chocolate. Medium-bodied, with nicely integrated acidity and light tannins, it's well-made, balanced, and already delicious. Drink it over the coming decade.

Barnett Vineyards' first harvest was in 1989 and yielded 232 cases of Cabernet. The winery has expanded gradually since then, selecting outstanding vineyard sites for grapes in addition to those grown on the estate, and now produces approximately 8,000 total cases. Rattlesnake and Spring Mountain District wines, including Merlot and Cabernet Franc, remain the focus with total estate production varying between 5,000 and 6,000 cases annually. In addition, we produce limited amounts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc sourced from single vineyards located in desired appellations.