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It is at once the nation’s heritage grape—a survivor of the Gold Rush era—and its most misunderstood varietal. For decades, the market was dominated by monolithic, high-octane bottlings, often jammy and over-extracted, designed to appeal to a palate that equated
While large-scale productions dominate supermarket shelves, a passionate cohort of small-batch producers is redefining the grape, emphasizing site-specific character, meticulous farming, and artisanal winemaking. These vintners are crafting Merlots of remarkable depth, elegance, and authenticity. Here are five standout small-batch
