Comstock Wines Merlot Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County 2018

For over 20 years, the Comstock family has been growing grapes on their 17-acre vineyard in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. In the last decade, they’ve kept a small amount of fruit for their own label – and this Gold Medal merlot is one of their very best! Under $20 for a micro-production wine such as this is a steal – and over $30 less than what you’d pay at the winery!

For the past few years, the 2nd generation of the Comstock family, Kelly Comstock Ferris, has served as the winery’s GM, working daily alongside winemaker Chris Russi. The winery is known for its fantastic zinfandels (it is Dry Creek Valley, after all), but I can say without hyperbole that this merlot is my favorite in their portfolio.

This merlot is a deep and savory wine, with aromas of pipe tobacco, violets, new leather, and myriad barrel spices. The flavors are full and rich – where smoky plums, sweet cocoa beans, blackberries, black cherries, and Herbs de Provence coat the palate. The texture is fine and silky, with a mineral depth and brightness that carries this into a long and beautiful finish. Only 280 cases ever made, and we’re thrilled to have this single-vineyard offering for over 60% less than the winery price! Drink now, or anytime in the next decade – this is a cellar defender steal that offers up everything you love about Right Bank Bordeaux in a sultry, Sonoma package! We got all we could, now it is your turn!