Oberon Napa Valley Merlot – Fantastic

Last Updated on July 8, 2025

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

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Jon Thorsen

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...