2005 Frog's Leap Merlot, Napa Valley

Some wine producers try to have their cake and eat it, seeking both complexity as well as approachability; turning to Merlot as the ‘ameliorative’ variety. No surprise then if the results are unsatisfactory. But when planted on prime terroir, as here, the grape seems to revel in the glow of approbation. A must try wine, John William's 100% Merlot stems mainly from prime, dry-farmed Rutherford Bench deep clay-loam soils, that deliver finely scented red cherry, blueberry and sage notes.

The understated palate has a plush red berry-meets-plum-skin-and-tea character to it; really fine, drinking now with decanting but will age till 2015 easy. Perfect with lamb's kidneys, yes sir!
(David Berry Green, BBR Buyer)