Monarch 2020 Lodi Merlot

The nose is powerful with deep, extracted aromas of prune, blackberry and cherry. There are also lingering tobacco and chocolate notes in the finish. In the mouth, the attack is filled with raspberry and blueberry characters, followed by layers of tannins building from the fruit and oak. The nuances come from the toast levels, which ranged from medium-plus to heavy. The tannic crescendo embellishes the mouthfeel and finish. This beautiful wine shows exactly what sustainably-grown Merlot grapes can achieve.