2021 Daou Vineyards Merlot Patrimony

The youthfully coy 2021 Merlot Patrimony is smoky, with a burst of oaken spice, dark chocolate and grilled herbs that give way to lavender and wild blueberries. Silken and serene, it coasts across the palate with ripe wild berry fruits elevated by sour citrus. Tactile mineral tones and a collection of edgy tannins amass toward the close. The 2021 tapers off with a sweet and sour sensation, leaving a grippy feel and a licorice tinge that adds a bitter bite. A lot is going on here, and there's more to come with cellaring.