A tribute to the great Merlots of the world, the 2016 Merlot W.S. Keyes checks in as 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and unfortunately, there’s only a tiny amount made. This inky colored beauty offers a huge nose of black cherries, currants, graphite, licorice, crushed rocks and new leather. It's rich, powerful, concentrated and layered, with terrific acidity and freshness, building tannin, and incredible length. It’s a tour de force in Merlot that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 20-25 years or more.
99 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Jan 2019)
Composed of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 W.S. Keyes Merlot offers up glorious scents of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and blackberry pie with hints of wild sage, espresso, star anise and menthol. Full, rich and firmly textured with wonderfully velvety tannins and bold, layered flavors, it finishes very long and earthy. 430 cases produced.
98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Oct 2018)
The violet and lavender aromas are so beautiful. Berries, black olives and spice. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a gorgeous finish. Wonderful. 77 per cent merlot and 23 per cent cabernet sauvignon. The Masseto of Napa. Try in 2023.
98 points, James Suckling (Dec 2019)