Kosher Food and Drink

Hagafen, Prix, Reserve, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Merlot, 2014

As a longtime club member and fan, occasionally I will receive my shipment and within just a few months, my curiosity will get the better of me and I will pop the most recent Prix Merlot. While the Prix Merlot is great right out of the gate on release, I have found that it begins to really hit its stride in year 8 to 10, so in our example here of the 2014, in 2022-24.

With a real wine lover visiting my home, I felt it appropriate to open one of my trusty favorites, knowing it would be a winner.

We were not let down.

In the glass, red plum, vanilla, deep red pomegranate, loads of cassis, tobacco, a bit of smoke, the nose is ripe and polished. Decadent nose. The fruit seems still young, bright and fresh. On the palate, tempered but still lush ripe red fruit with balanced acid. Tannins are still more than apparent but soft. I’d say don’t sit on this wine because it’s Merlot and there’s no telling when it might drop off and you’ll miss this glorious window, but I know better, and Hagafen’s track record tells me this wine may still evolve, soften, and improve for another decade. Outstanding wine.

$75 (current vintage), 14.5% ABV, mevushal