Introduction: Robert Foley Vineyards is the namesake project of one of Napa Valley's most accomplished winemakers — a viticulture and enology graduate of UC Davis who has been crafting wine in the valley since 1977 and has been called "The God of Cabernet" by those who know him best. Bob Foley founded multiple acclaimed Napa wineries over his career, including Markham and Pride Mountain Vineyards, and famously produced the 1996 Paloma Merlot — the first Napa Merlot ever to receive a perfect score. His own-label Merlot, first bottled as a varietal in 2005, is a direct expression of that lifelong mastery: structured, dark-fruited, and built with the precision of a winemaker who has spent decades learning exactly when and where to pick.

Terroir: The 2018 Merlot is a deliberate blend of two contrasting Napa terroirs — Howell Mountain and Calistoga — each contributing something distinct to the final wine. Howell Mountain, situated at 2,000 feet on the eastern wall of the valley, delivers volcanic, well-draining soils and a rugged mountain intensity: firm tannins, concentrated dark fruit, and the kind of structural backbone that defines age-worthy Napa reds. Calistoga, at the warmer northern end of the valley floor, contributes richness, roundness, and plush texture, softening the mountain fruit into something more generous and immediately approachable. The marriage of the two is the defining concept of the wine.

Appearance: Deep, opaque purple-ruby with a dense, inky core — vivid and concentrated in the glass, signaling the extraction and fruit intensity within.

Nose: Generous and perfumed, with black currant, cassis, and ripe black cherry leading a bouquet layered with cedar, vanilla, baking spice, and a hint of dark chocolate. A subtle earthiness — wet stone, asphalt, and fresh fig — adds savory depth beneath the abundant dark fruit.

Palate: Full-bodied and richly structured, with ripe black fruit flavors coating the entire palate from entry through to the finish. Velvety, ultra-fine tannins — the hallmark of Howell Mountain fruit at its best — provide grip without hardness, while bright natural acidity keeps the wine lively and prevents the richness from feeling heavy. Chocolaty mocha, clove, and red licorice notes layer through the mid-palate, adding complexity and interest.

Finish: Long, dry, and deeply satisfying, with dark fruit, cedar, and a hint of chalk lingering for 20-plus seconds. The tannins resolve gracefully on the back end, leaving a clean, structured close that signals genuine aging potential.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Well-marbled prime ribeye, braised short ribs, or roasted rack of lamb with garlic and herbs
🥦 Vegetarian: Portobello mushroom ragù over pappardelle, truffle risotto, or roasted root vegetables with aged balsamic
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged cheddar, Manchego, dark chocolate, fig jam, and cured salami

Overall Impression: The 2018 Robert Foley Merlot is a Cabernet lover's Merlot in the best possible sense — structured, dark, and serious, without sacrificing the variety's inherent plushness and approachability. Rated 93 points by Jeb Dunnuck, it is drinking beautifully now but has the structure and depth to continue developing through the late 2020s and beyond. Serve at 17–18°C with 30–45 minutes of decanting; drink now through 2028–2030.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 15.5
Farming Practices:Conventional viticulture; meticulous cluster-by-cluster selection in the vineyard; fruit sourced from hillside locations with well-draining volcanic soils; hand-harvested
Producer Name: Robert Foley Vineyards
Old World / New World: New World
Country of Origin: United States
Region: Napa Valley AVA, California (fruit from Howell Mountain and Calistoga sub-AVAs) Grape Varietals: Merlot 100%
Vintage: 2018
Wine Style: Dry Red — Full-bodied and deeply structured, with a dark, concentrated Napa Merlot profile shaped by the tension between Howell Mountain mountain intensity and Calistoga valley-floor richness. Built for Cabernet lovers who want Merlot's plush texture without sacrificing power or aging potential. 
Winemaking Techniques: Hand-harvested; fermentation in stainless steel; aged in French oak (Tronçais, medium-plus toast); multiple rackings during élevage; bottled at the estate
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Verify on bottle

Check out the press!
98 points, Decanter:
"The nose is perfumed and alluring, with dark fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice, and scorched herbs. On the palate, it is fabulously rich and full-bodied, with pure black fruit, loamy earth, and heady toasty oak and vanilla, beautifully woven around the fruit character. Supple, cocoa-powder tannins frame the wine, which finishes with exceptional length, supported by bright acidity that carries all the richness and spice. Quite simply, liquid Nirvana."
 
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"A great value in high-end Merlot, the 2018 Merlot has a medium- to full-bodied, perfumed, elegant style as well as lots of ripe back cherry and cassis fruits, some floral, spicy, chocolaty nuances, ultra-fine tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish." 

Order the 2028 Robert Foley Merlot Napa Valley between now and Monday, April 13th, at 4 PM. Orders will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, April 15th, after 4 pm.