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Vintage Charts

United States

United States California/Merlot

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Vintage Napa Sonoma Drink Window Description
Vintage
2021
Napa
91
Sonoma
88
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description

A warm, dry summer as drought persisted, with few heat spikes burdening the vines; conditions cooled late in the season, allowing for a relatively easy harvest
Description

A warm, dry summer as drought persisted, with few heat spikes burdening the vines; conditions cooled late in the season, allowing for a relatively easy harvest
Vintage
2020
Napa
88
Sonoma
86
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description

Extremely dry and hot conditions across the state, with a series of devastating wildfires in August and September that covered much of wine country in smoke for extended periods
Description

Extremely dry and hot conditions across the state, with a series of devastating wildfires in August and September that covered much of wine country in smoke for extended periods
Vintage
2019
Napa
92
Sonoma
90
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description

A wet spring led to bursts of midsummer days with temperatures above 100° F, followed by an extended growing season that generally produced supple and elegant reds
Description

A wet spring led to bursts of midsummer days with temperatures above 100° F, followed by an extended growing season that generally produced supple and elegant reds
Vintage
2018
Napa
91
Sonoma
88
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description

Amid moderate growing conditions, valley floor sites yielded fleshy, big-textured wines, while mountain vineyards delivered focused minerality and firm structure
Description

Amid moderate growing conditions, valley floor sites yielded fleshy, big-textured wines, while mountain vineyards delivered focused minerality and firm structure
Vintage
2017
Napa
92
Sonoma
89
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description

A late-season heat wave challenged vintners; the best wines are big, ripe and powerful, with taut tannins
Description

A late-season heat wave challenged vintners; the best wines are big, ripe and powerful, with taut tannins
Vintage
2016
Napa
94
Sonoma
91
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description
Nearly ideal weather results in plush flavors and structures supported by medium-grained tannins
Description
Nearly ideal weather results in plush flavors and structures supported by medium-grained tannins
Vintage
2015
Napa
91
Sonoma
88
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description
Small crop from another drought vintage; firmly tannic, with deep dark fruit and spice flavors
Description
Small crop from another drought vintage; firmly tannic, with deep dark fruit and spice flavors
Vintage
2014
Napa
92
Sonoma
89
Drink Window
Drink
Description

Drought-influenced vintage yields well-structured wines with refined fruit flavors
Description

Drought-influenced vintage yields well-structured wines with refined fruit flavors
Vintage
2013
Napa
90
Sonoma
88
Drink Window
Drink
Description

Sunny weather and a long growing season led to fruit-forward wines
Description

Sunny weather and a long growing season led to fruit-forward wines
Vintage
2012
Napa
91
Sonoma
89
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Long, warm growing season produced rich, ripe and easy-drinking wines
Description
Long, warm growing season produced rich, ripe and easy-drinking wines
Vintage
2011
Napa
87
Sonoma
83
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Rainy and cool year; many wines have hard tannins, herbal flavors
Description
Rainy and cool year; many wines have hard tannins, herbal flavors
Vintage
2010
Napa
87
Sonoma
84
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Extremely cool season; many wines are herbal and have unripe tannins
Description
Extremely cool season; many wines are herbal and have unripe tannins
Vintage
2009
Napa
94
Sonoma
86
Drink Window
Drink or hold
Description
Ideal season; best wines show balance, structure and lively acidity
Description
Ideal season; best wines show balance, structure and lively acidity
Vintage
2008
Napa
89
Sonoma
85
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Top producers made superior wines while others struggled in a cool year
Description
Top producers made superior wines while others struggled in a cool year
Vintage
2007
Napa
89
Sonoma
85
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Supple and appealing wines from Napa; Sonoma offers value
Description
Supple and appealing wines from Napa; Sonoma offers value
Vintage
2006
Napa
92
Sonoma
85
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Inconsistent; best are rich and supple, but many are lean and herbal
Description
Inconsistent; best are rich and supple, but many are lean and herbal
Vintage
2005
Napa
89
Sonoma
89
Drink Window
Drink
Description
Top wines are elegant and well-focused, with ripeness achieved at lower alcohol levels
Description
Top wines are elegant and well-focused, with ripeness achieved at lower alcohol levels
Vintage
2004
Napa
87
Sonoma
88
Drink Window
Drink
Description
The best are supple, rich and complex; a step above the 2003s
Description
The best are supple, rich and complex; a step above the 2003s
Vintage
2003
Napa
85
Sonoma
80
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
Tight and tannic wines; best to decant
Description
Tight and tannic wines; best to decant
Vintage
2002
Napa
89
Sonoma
81
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
About as good as it gets in Napa, with Sonoma lagging
Description
About as good as it gets in Napa, with Sonoma lagging
Vintage
2001
Napa
87
Sonoma
83
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
Good, but not on par with '01 Cabernet
Description
Good, but not on par with '01 Cabernet
Vintage
2000
Napa
83
Sonoma
80
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
Mixed in both regions
Description
Mixed in both regions
Vintage
1999
Napa
87
Sonoma
81
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
One of the best for Napa; ordinary for Sonoma
Description
One of the best for Napa; ordinary for Sonoma
Vintage
1998
Napa
82
Sonoma
79
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
Marked by lean, hollow wines
Description
Marked by lean, hollow wines
Vintage
1997
Napa
86
Sonoma
86
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
Ripe, opulent and supple wines
Description
Ripe, opulent and supple wines
Vintage
1996
Napa
88
Sonoma
82
Drink Window
Past peak
Description
Best overall for Napa, with rich, structured wines
Description
Best overall for Napa, with rich, structured wines


Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended

A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.

Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.

SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR