2021 Chris Hamilton Cellars Merlot Napa Valley 750 ml

Grown on Napa Valley’s oldest vineyard—Yountville’s Block House, originally planted by Napa pioneer George C. Yount—Hamilton’s 2021 is a boutique, hand-crafted Merlot grown in a vintage that earned a spectacular 97 points from Wine Spectator.

The rest of the Merlot hails from an ultra-prestigious Oakville vineyard we’re not at liberty to name. The 10% Cab Franc, which brings intoxicating aromatics to the wine, hails from the Pelissa Vineyard. It occupies one of the most sacred spots in Napa: It’s a stone’s throw from Opus One, Beckstoffer To Kalon, and Mondavi To Kalon.

The Pelissa-Hoxsey family owns Napa Wine Company, the last winery in California with a bonded winery number in the single digits (#9)—a testament to their longevity and deep roots in the world of wine. For over 100 years they have lovingly tended Block House, the first vineyard site in the entire Napa Valley—planted by George Yount in 1838!

Block House, so named after Yount’s Kentucky-style defense outpost on the site, sits on multiple alluvial bands of sedimentary and clay soils, with some volcanic outcrops. It offers Merlot a relatively cool growing climate, which plays into the vibrancy and grace of this bottling.

The Pelissa Vineyard has been farmed organically since being planted in 1998, and the Cabernet Franc vines there have really hit their stride. That Cab Franc adds a layer of aromatic complexity and liveliness to this bottle that is hard to match—the perfect accompaniment to Merlot’s smooth, palate-caressing nature.

You’ll notice a wolf motif on the bottle. Proprietor Chris Hamilton chose it for his brand because he feels the wolf is his spirit animal, standing for loyalty, strength, and character—all values he holds dear.