Rating 85
Style Red
Variety
Vintage 2014
Appellation
Napa Valley
Napa County
North Coast
California
USA
ABV 14.5%
Price $70.00  Buy This Wine
Print Shelf Talker
Reviewed By
Reviewed 2019-01-02

Perfect For

Long-Term Aging, Sipping Without Food, Winning Over the Boss

Drink If You Like

Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec , Tannat

Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Napa Valley Merlot 2014 Review

I popped this bottle and sipped without looking at what the grape was and thought this is a good Cab. Then I turned it around and saw that it was a Merlot. Well, that’s weird. This is a good wine but very expensive with not a lot of complexity; it’s powerful with significant tannins and 14.5% alcohol with earthy tones and plum and blackberry aromas. The oak on the wine is pretty upfront and it’s a bit big for a Merlot. It might benefit from more aging, but if you are looking for a more elegant Merlot from Cali, this isn't it. If you like classic, full bodied Cali Merlot, this is your wine.

As of 2024, VinePair no longer participates in any affiliate programs. All links included in our content are as a convenience to our readers, not for earning commission — we receive no monetary value from them. Learn more about our tastings & review department here!

Related Reads

Learn About Merlot

· Merlot 101

· Our always updated list of the best Merlot to buy right now!

Related Mt. Brave Reviews

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 2019:
Chris Carpenter came to wine country via Chicago with a marketing degree. Before he knew it, he was studying at UC Davis and off to Italy ...

Mt. Brave Merlot

Mt. Brave Merlot:
Winemaker Chris Carpenter is forming a relationship with a mountain. His Mt. Brave project focuses on bringing the best out of Mount Veeder ...

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 2018:
Chris Carpenter, founder of Mt. Brave, came to wine country via Chicago with a marketing degree. Before he knew it, he was at UC Davis and ...

Related Merlot Reviews

Matthews Winery Reserve Merlot

Matthews Winery Reserve Merlot 2020:
From the Matthews Winery reserve line, this is a great Washington state Merlot that is begging for a food pairing. It has a distinct nose ...

Featured Merlot Articles

The 30 Best Red Wines for 2024

The 30 Best Red Wines for 2024:
From weeknight bottles to special-occasion splurges, here are the 30 red wines that should be in your glass this year.

This Cult Oregon Winery Just Moved to… Philadelphia?

This Cult Oregon Winery Just Moved to… Philadelphia?:
Philadelphia might seem like an odd choice for Oregon-founded Pray Tell's future, but the winery's big move east isn't so random after all.

The Half Wine Bottle Deserves Its Moment in the Sun

The Half Wine Bottle Deserves Its Moment in the Sun:
The first time I bought a half bottle of wine wasn’t intentional. How had I never considered just… buying smaller bottles of wine?

The 50 Best Wines of 2023

The 50 Best Wines of 2023:
Read VinePair's authoritative list of the best 50 wines of 2023 now! These are 50 of the best wines you can buy. See them all now!

85
POINTS
Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Napa Valley Merlot 2014
I popped this bottle and sipped without looking at what the grape was and thought this is a good Cab. Then I turned it around and saw that it was a Merlot. Well, that’s weird. This is a good wine but very expensive with not a lot of complexity; it’s powerful with significant tannins and 14.5% alcohol with earthy tones and plum and blackberry aromas. The oak on the wine is pretty upfront and it’s a bit big for a Merlot. It might benefit from more aging, but if you are looking for a more elegant Merlot from Cali, this isn't it. If you like classic, full bodied Cali Merlot, this is your wine.

Reviewed On: 01-02-2019
85
POINTS
Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Napa Valley Merlot 2014
I popped this bottle and sipped without looking at what the grape was and thought this is a good Cab. Then I turned it around and saw that it was a Merlot. Well, that’s weird. This is a good wine but very expensive with not a lot of complexity; it’s powerful with significant tannins and 14.5% alcohol with earthy tones and plum and blackberry aromas. The oak on the wine is pretty upfront and it’s a bit big for a Merlot. It might benefit from more aging, but if you are looking for a more elegant Merlot from Cali, this isn't it. If you like classic, full bodied Cali Merlot, this is your wine.

Reviewed On: 01-02-2019