Third Century Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed within 3 to 8 years from the vintage release, when its vibrant fruit profile and supple texture are in perfect harmony.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roast duck breast, grilled pork chops with rosemary, or classic beef stew.
✨ Technical Specifications
Beringer Vineyards, founded in 1876 by German immigrant brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, stands as one of Napa Valley's most historic and enduring estates. The 'Third Century' label pays homage to this extraordinary legacy, celebrating the winery's transition into its third century of continuous winemaking. This Merlot is crafted to embody the classic, generous California style—plush, approachable, and deeply expressive. Sourced from select vineyards that benefit from the state's warm daytime sun and cooling maritime breezes, the wine is typically composed predominantly of Merlot, often enhanced with a small percentage of other traditional red varieties for added structure. Gentle fermentation followed by aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels coaxes out rich flavors of black cherry, ripe plum, and dark cocoa, framed by soft, velvety tannins and a hint of sweet baking spice.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1876 by German immigrant brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, Beringer Vineyards holds the historic distinction of being the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley. Anchored in St. Helena, the estate spans prime viticultural land across northern California, drawing fruit from well-draining alluvial fans, volcanic benchlands, and cooler southern AVA pockets such as Oak Knoll and Carneros. Across its celebrated white wine portfolio, Beringer emphasizes balance, varietal purity, and stylistic diversity—from the mineral-driven tension of the Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs to the layered, barrel-fermented opulence of its Private Reserve and Luminus Chardonnays. Viticulture focuses rigorously on third-party certified sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and soil health across all estate vineyards. By bridging time-honored European cellar traditions with modern precision vinification, Beringer maintains an internationally revered benchmark status in contemporary California winemaking.