Chateau Souverain Merlot 2018

Oak aging has enhanced the primary fruit profile with engaging aromas reminiscent of cloves, toast, and dark-roast coffee. This wine is designed with a sense of depth, framed by soft, silky tannins and balanced acidity for which Souverain has long been known. Pair with peppered steak with plum chutney or grilled pork with red wine mushroom reduction.

86% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petite Sirah. Founded in 1944 by winemaking innovator Lee Stewart, Souverain (derived from the French term for "sovereign" or "supreme") was originally located on Howell Mountain. The winery moved to Rutherford when Stewart sold it in 1970. In 1972, Pillsbury bought this facility and began building another one in Geyserville. The Rutherford winery was eventually sold while the second one was bought by Beringer in 1986, who added the word 'Chateau' to the Souverain brand name. Finally in 2006, the winery moved to a newly built state-of-the-art winery in Cloverdale, renaming themselves to simply 'Souverain.' While the name, faces, and location of the winery have changed over the years, the tradition of fine-wine production continues today. This is a classic North Coast Merlot with rich red-cherry flavors of Sonoma along with the black plum and supple tannins of Napa.