2019 Herson Family - Merlot Napa Access (750ml)

Herson Family Vineyards is the passion project of a husband-and-wife team of Washington, D.C. lobbyists, one a Democrat and one a Republican, who named their wines as playful nods to their day jobs: the Chardonnay is called Influence, the Cabernet Sauvignon Persuasion, and the Merlot Access. Behind the label is veteran Napa winemaker Bob Foley, who began his career in 1977 after graduating from UC Davis, spending his first year at Heitz Cellars before fifteen years as founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards. Foley now limits himself to a small handful of projects so he can give each his full, hands-on attention.

Access is built primarily from Merlot grown in Calistoga, rounded out with a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon for structure. The wine typically ages around eighteen months in French oak, with roughly a third new barrels, a process meant to add depth and polish without overwhelming the fruit. True to the label's small-batch philosophy, production stays limited, allowing Foley's instinct-driven, no-shortcuts approach to shine through in every bottle.

The wine shows a dense purple color, with aromas of cocoa, chocolate, and Asian plum sauce layered over black cherry fruit. It's rich, full-bodied, and distinctly tied to its Napa Valley terroir. Pair it with grilled ribeye, herb-roasted duck, or dark chocolate truffles.