Reverse Wine Snob

Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good

  • About
  • Aldi® Picks
  • Costco® Picks
  • Trader Joe’s® Picks
  • FREE GUIDE
  • Insider Deals
menu icon
go to homepage
Get Our Free Guide
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE GUIDE!
  • Insider Deals
  • Best Of Lists
    • - Costco
    • - Trader Joe's
    • - Aldi
  • Helpful Links
    • - About
    • - The Rating System
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Oberon Napa Valley Merlot - Fantastic

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 10, 2022 Last Updated: April 10, 2022

    Smooth, supple and delicious, we review the Oberon Napa Valley Merlot.

    Oberon Napa Valley Merlot - Fantastic

    About 90% Merlot from the Oakville District, 8% Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and 2% Zinfandel from Middletown, California. The wine is aged in French oak, 45% new, for 12 months.

    Sample submitted for review. The Oberon Napa Valley Merlot has an SRP of $23 and is available for as low as $17.

    From the bottle:

    Napa Valley native and winemaker Tony Coltrin brings more than 45 years of winemaking experience to Oberon. Tony makes this Merlot from an exceptional blend of Napa Valley grapes sourced from premier sub-appellations and selected for their concentration of ripe fruit flavors and natural acidity. The layers of lush fruit flavors of plum and black currants are complemented by 12 months of French oak barrel aging and velvety texture.

    Cellared & Bottled by The Michael Mondavi Family
    13.9% Alcohol

    The 2019 Oberon Napa Valley Merlot begins with an absolutely enticing aroma of dark berry fruit and dusty spice along with touches of chocolate and vanilla. This one definitely gets your attention right away!

    While the nose is ready to go, the wine needs a couple hours of air to really open up when tasting but when it does it is smooth, supple and absolutely delicious. In fact, I didn't think much of it when I first popped and poured it but give it some time and wow!

    Featuring similar flavors to the nose with some cola, licorice and lots of other touches too the wine has great structure and balance. This is a wonderful example of Merlot with that signature round mouthfeel leading the way.

    It ends dry, quite long, and nice and chewy and was just as good day 2! This is fantastic.

    Ready to buy? Check your local retailers for this wine.

    2019 Oberon Napa Valley Merlot

    Taste: 9 (91-93 points)       Cost: 4
    OVERALL RATING: 7.8

    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

    Looking for more of the Best Merlot Under $20? Check out our list!

    The Best Merlot - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

    Filed Under: California, Highly Recommended, Merlot

    << Vignobles de la Vallee du Rhone Collection Rhone - Uncomplicated
    Vento di Mare Nerello Mascalese - Bright and Juicy >>

    About Jon Thorsen

    Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...

    Reverse Wine Snob Insider Deals Header Square
    Limited Time offers with amazing discounts just for our readers.

    Don't Miss Out!

    About Reverse Wine Snob

    Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good! Jon Thorsen is an independent wine consumer who has been helping millions of people (3.9 million visits in 2021 alone) find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. If you're new to Reverse Wine Snob® sign up for my free guide and don't miss our exclusive Insider Deals! Read more about Reverse Wine Snob in the news and about me.

    Reverse Wine Snob Logo

    Get The Insider Deal All Stars Intro Pack!

    Insider Deal All-Stars Intro PackFour of our highest rated, best-selling wines from our top wineries discounted more than 50% in a special introductory package. It's the perfect, low cost, low risk way to start exploring our Insider Deals.

    More Info

    Join over 450,000 followers on social media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Helpful Links

    • - Ask The Expert Series
    • - Browse by Variety, Region, etc.
    • - Buy My Book on Amazon
    • - Get Our Free Guide
    • - How To Choose A Good Bottle of Wine
    • - Insider Deals
    • - Insider Deal FAQ
    • - Printable Lists of Recommended Wines
    • - Ten Tenets of Reverse Wine Snobbery
    • - The Rating System
    • - Wine Tasting Basics

    • - Advertise
    • - Contact Info
    • - Submit Samples for review

    How To Drink Great Wine...Without Breaking The Bank

    Tired of wasting money on bad wine? Sign up for our Free Guide!

    No commitments, no spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Best Of Lists!

      • - Aldi Wine
      • - Best Red Wines of 2021
      • - Box Wines
      • - Cabernet Sauvignon
      • - Chardonnay
      • - Chianti
      • - Costco Wine
      • - French Wines
      • - Italian Wines
      • - Malbec
      • - Merlot
      • - Oregon Wines
      • - Organic Wines
      • - Pinot Noir
      • - Red Blends
      • - Rosé
      • - Riesling
      • - Sauvignon Blanc
      • - Spanish Wines
      • - Sparkling Wine
      • - Syrah
      • - Thanksgiving Wines
      • - Trader Joe's Wine
      • - Vegan Wines
      • - Zinfandel
      • And Many More Best of Lists

    Reverse Wine Snob®: Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

    Copyright © 2011–2022 · Reverse Wine Snob, LLC. | Privacy, Editorial & Advertising Policy