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8 Stellar Napa Cabernets and Merlot Wines (Wine Spectator)

Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

Napa is Cabernet country, but the valley also excels with other red Bordeaux grapes, both in blends and as standalone bottlings. Leading the pack in today's selection, Merlot has long been a staple in Napa, where it's the third-most planted variety. Both Merlot and Cabernet take center-stage in these picks, with most of the wines available for $35 or less, making them solid bargains.

Merlot has seen a surge in quality in recent years, as demonstrated by the complex version from Castello di Amorosa, which shows the powerful and structured side of the grape. On the value side, Oberon's 2015 Merlot made Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2017 for its quality and value, and the 2016 vintage is a return to form. (Merlot also gained the top spot of the list in 2017, with the Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms 2014 awarded Wine of the Year.)

Napa Cabernet prices often jump into the triple-digit range, but it's possible to find exciting wines that won't break the bank. Robert Mondavi's entry-level Cabernet is a perennial good value; the 2015 bottling is rich and polished, with savory accents. And at $25, Roots Run Deep is a widely available and easy-drinking version worth seeking out.

CASTELLO DI AMOROSA Merlot Napa Valley 2014 Score: 90 | $42
A muscular and powerful style, with dense dark fruit flavors that feature hints of mocha. Dried green herb accents show on the chiseled finish, along with plenty of tannins. Drink now through 2022. 2,388 cases made.—Kim Marcus

ST. SUPÉRY Merlot Rutherford 2015 Score: 90 | $50
Finely textured, with olive tapenade accents to the dried berry and savory herbal flavors. The minerally finish is long and taut. Drink now through 2022. 1,710 cases made.—K.M.

ROBERT MONDAVI Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 Score: 88 | $35
Savory, with herb, dill, cedar, loamy earth and dried berry flavors, this is rich and polished, full and expansive, ending with a strong charry oak aftertaste that will likely fade with time. Drink now through 2028. 57,416 cases made.—James Laube

OBERON Merlot Napa Valley 2016 Score: 88 | $23
Loamy tasting, with smoky accents to the red currant, roasted plum and dried berry flavors. Mocha and spice details show on the finish. Drink now through 2021. 5,400 cases made.—K.M.

ROUND POND ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Kith & Kin 2016 Score: 88 | $35
A winner, offering a charming mix of smoky oak, pure ripe dark berry, spice and cedar flavors, with an appealing texture. Drink now through 2024. 16,100 cases made.—J.L.

OBERON Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County 2016 Score: 87 | $25
Plump and juicy, this goes down easy. The kind wine you want to have around for everyday enjoyment. Drink now. 66,735 cases made.—J.L.

ROOTS RUN DEEP Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County Educated Guess 2016 Score: 87 | $25
Clean and complex, if on a modest scale, with spicy oak joining fresh, juicy plum and dark berry flavors. Drink now. 90,000 cases made.—J.L.

TEXTBOOK Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 Score: 87 | $29
Makes for a charming drink, with firm, chewy cedar, dark berry, tobacco and loamy earth flavors. Drink now. 3,400 cases made.—J.L.