2019 Braxton Hall California Merlot

Mellow. If there were just one word that’s most commonly used to describe Merlot, that would be it. And among Merlot lovers, it’s meant as a compliment. What it means is this: While some red wines — especially younger ones — possess tannins that pucker the mouth and even mask (i.e., hide) some of the flavors, Merlot is a red largely devoid of tannins and thus ready to enjoy in its youth.

Better still, it can possess many of the same flavors as the much-sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon. So, what many wine collectors do as their Cabs are aging in the cellar (or closet or rack) is drink a whole lot of Merlot.

The 2019 Braxton Hall bottling is a delicious example of a mellow Merlot. It’s brimming with dark fruit flavors, joined by subtle spice notes, and it finishes with nary a hint of heat. That would make it the vinous definition of mellow.