Smith Devereux Ibex Merlot
EVERY BOTTLE HAS A STORY…………….
The Smith Devereaux Winery is a boutique winery is located in Napa Valley, California. This story began over a mutual love of wine and music. Ian White (a travel & wine writer), Steve Smith (a farmer with some of Napa Valley’s best grapes) & John Anthony Truchard (a music industry insider) all came together at a time in their lives where they wanted to a change and be part of something amazing. The winery is named after combining Steve’s last name Ian’s middle name, Devereux. The wines are sustainably made with minimal intervention. They make wines that are meant for family and friends to enjoy at every occasion from Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend (Zin and Syrah) to Ibex Single Varietal Merlot and esteemed Cabernet Sauvignon. They also have limited production Artist & Philanthropy wines that benefit various foundations and charities. Ian would love to host you personally in their Oak Knoll Cabernet Vineyards. But you can also try them at JaM cellars. As Ian put it “That way people will come visit me and we can develop a friendship that extends beyond wine.”
Napa is known for Cabernet Sauvignon with depth of flavor (rich fruit, minerality, oak and floral), graceful acidity and fine grained tannins. Rightly so, they have the prime climatic conditions and a dusty soil quality that is unique to Napa. Where you find Cabernet Sauvignon, you’ll find Merlot - does Bordeaux ring a bell to anyone? When I tasted their single vineyard Merlot, I was blown away. I contacted him right away to set up a call because I needed to know more about their story and wines. He was incredibly accommodating and happily answered all of my questions from the winery to climate change to this incredible wine.
Today’s focus is on their Ibex Single Vineyard Merlot. The single vineyard is from their Ibex Vineyard in St. Helena, Napa. I asked Ian why they chose to grow a single vineyard Merlot in Napa when no one else was doing it? He said “that’s exactly why. This varietal is special, it needs to shine and I like going against the grain.“ They wanted to make something authentic and genuine. The wine is made in the same manner as Cabernet Sauvignon but the end result is soft, feminine, floral & fruity, rich and balanced. The grapes are harvested late for prime ripeness. The wine is aged in new French oak for 14 months for a lusciously complex, full-bodied merlot. They wanted to do something different and they succeeded tenfold. Their wines truly are FARM TO BOTTLE.
Merlot is often overlooked or passed over in favor of Cabernet Sauvignon. Heck, it got a bad wrap in the 90’s from the much adored movie Sideways known as the Sideways Effect. Well let me set the record straight. It’s smooth, lush, and a better value to quality than Cabernet. However, Merlot can taste as big as a Cabernet Sauvignon. Fun Fact: Merlot is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. Merlot translates to “little blackbird” in an old regional French dialect. Merlot is loved for its vibrant black cherry flavors, supple tannins, and chocolatey finish. Merlot is typically medium bodied, tannins, acid and alcohol - known as medium-itis. Merlot is an ideal food pairing wine and a safe bet for any occasion.
This wine has a deep ruby/purple color. Beautiful aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, earthy fresh fig, raisins, chocolate, leather, tobacco leaf, vanilla and cloves. The wine has a balanced profile of medium acid and soft medium tannins with a full body. The flavors jump to life with black raspberry, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy fresh fig, raisins, leather, tobacco leaf, vanilla, nutmeg, lavender, cedar and cloves. It is very well integrated with long lasting finish.
Try this Merlot with decadent dirty herbed leg of lamb, seared duck breast with roasted thyme red plums over duck-fat fried fingerling potatoes, pork belly with coffee glaze, grilled porterhouse steak with peppercorn sauce, braised veal cheeks with waffles and foie gras, or grilled chipotle pork chops.
