St. Francis Sonoma County Merlot 2022 750ml

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards farms about 600 acres in Sonoma County. Its wines are marketed in the US by Kobrand, and the winemaker is Chris Louton.

This is the winery's Sonoma County Merlot, a regional blend of fruit from estate vineyards in the Sonoma and Russian River valleys plus growers in Alexander Valley and Rockpile. The wine spends 14 months in oak barrels. The 2022 is 14.8% alcohol.

It's smooth, plush and generous, with cherry, red currant, plum, chocolate and toasty spice, a silky structure, soft tannins and a long finish.

Against Decoy California Merlot, St. Francis carries a vintage and a Sonoma County appellation for less money; for a dated Sonoma Merlot under $20, choose St. Francis.

Pour it with beef, duck or blue cheese. It drinks well now and will hold for several years. St. Francis also makes a single-vineyard Behler Merlot and a Reserve Merlot, so this is the place to start.

Browse more Merlot and our Sonoma County wine. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.