Napa Valley Cabernet is the New Merlot

That's crazy! 

Hear me out.

13% alcohol! You gotta be kiddin'

In the old days of California wine, you know, last century, Cabernet Sauvignon was usually lower alcohol, higher acid, and more tannins compared to today's wine. They were often dry monsters when first released. 

If you didn't want to age your wine there was Merlot, all smooth, fruity and soft ready for you to drink tonight. Consumers, then as now, usually drink their wines within a few days of purchase. Few are actually aged.

In 1991 the French Paradox on 60 Minutes changed America's drinking habits. Everyone wanted some healthy red wine tonight! There was Merlot ready and waiting. The Merlot craze only last a few years.

Merlot sales flattened in the late 1990s and finally fell off for several reasons.

• The sudden demand for a lot more Merlot led to many wine of dubious quality.
• The move Sideways because Miles hated Merlot.
• The softening of California red wines due to climate changes, trellising changes, production changes, consumer preference, and the all important points given out by Robert Parker et al. Alcohol levels went up. A blog post from a couple of months ago on this subject.
  

 

15%, that's more like it!  :)

Once Cabernet became more approachable when young, there was almost no reason for Merlot.

Napa Valley, and others, jumped on this style in a big way with the big, bold Cabs. Regardless of your opinion on their style, you can't say they haven't been hugely successful.