Classic deep purple in color with red highlights. Rose petal, violet, cherry and plum aromas are accented by notes of cedar and toasted coconut. Black cherry, fig and blueberry flavors are complemented by a hint of vanilla and spice on the finish. This juicy, plush wine has a lingering finish with soft, medium tannins and firm acidity.
Vineyard and Winemaker’s notes
The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard on a rise in the heart of Alexander Valley – the same vineyard that we have used for over a decade. Bill likes the drainage that the slight elevation gives. After picking and de-stemming, the grapes are lightly crushed; the wine is pumped over during fermentation and left until dry. The Merlot was aged about 2 years in American oak barrels from Wisconsin chosen for the extreme tightness of their grain; one third of the barrels are new every year.
Specifications
Vintage: 2014
Varietal: 100% Merlot
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Alcohol: 14.3%
% Malolactic: 100%
TA (g/100 ml): .66
Brix at Harvest: 24.4
pH: 3.49
Res Sugar(g/100ml): .02
Barrels: American oak
Time in Barrel: 20 months
Winemaker: Bill Arbios
Double Gold Medal, 2017 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Winemaking defines the essence of my life; transforming a challenge into a vision of elegance, grace and power.
- Bill Arbios
After a notable winemaking career with many prominent wineries, Bill Arbios fulfilled a longstanding dream of having his own label with the debut of Arbios Cellars in 1993. Arbios Cellars focuses on a single Bordeaux-style red wine, made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the acclaimed Alexander Valley of Sonoma County.
Placing the emphasis on the terroir, Bill believes in honoring the character of the fruit without over-manipulating the wine. The resulting wines are ripe and intense with rich plum and cherry flavors and intriguing notes of olive and earth – a style that has been described as a cross between the new and old world.
Arbios Cellars’ production has grown from a mere 125 cases of the 1993 vintage to approximately 3000 cases today. The wine is available in major U.S. markets with distribution in numerous high-end restaurants and retail shops. In 2000, Bill launched a second label, Praxis, from the Greek word for practice. These wines, priced about half that of the Arbios label, allow Bill to experiment and practice his craft with new varietals and different terroirs. Although Bill made his reputation making Meritage blended wines, all of the Arbios and Praxis wines emphasize terroir with more than half made from a single vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, VA, WA, WV
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Praxis Cellars Merlot - $30 = 19.99%
@karenhynes I am wondering the same thing. I find merlot to be a versatile “daily drinker” option, and with this price point, I’m comfortable cranking this open after a grueling Tuesday at work. Versatile in that the varietal pairs with many cuisines. I also like the fact that this is the Alexander Valley vineyard. Very intriguing offer!
How does this compare to the 2013? I see that it’s a little higher alcohol, and from the description (20 months in American oak, one third new) it sounds like it might have some noticeable wood (which I like).
@DickL I would say they are very similar, but this might have a little more oak to it than the prior vintage. Same vineyard, 100% Merlot, same one man show making the wine.
@DickL@SARBIOS the 2013 is my go to Tuesday night wine. But I also found on the shelf st GO for $8, I bought a 1/2 case about 6 months ago and am down to 1 bottle left.
Nicely balanced, not heavy handed at all. Good budget bottle of merlot if you like such things.
Hi - Susan from Praxis checking in. Sorry about shipping; we are too small to have a license for every state. I do love this wine and it is a great every day/night wine - esp at this price. Please write in if I can answer any questions
I really like the Praxis Viognier from the previous offer…It’s definitely not your typical grocery-store Viognier. So this Merlot has me intrigued since I’m not much of a Merlot drinker (at least not your typical grocery-store Merlot).
I enjoyed the 20-3, and Amin for a few of these at this price. That said, I opened my last 20-3 bottle a month or so ago, and while it’s still drinking well, I wouldn’t hold onto it much longer. My feeling is this is likely a ‘drink this right now’, so probably not in for a case.
@cbrehman that surprises me, with the acidity and alcohol levels.(presuming they are similar) What makes you think it’s approaching going over the hill?
@rjquillin Yes, we have never used another vineyard for the Merlot. Same vineyard since 2002! And I find Bill’s Merlot to be pretty consistent year over year with a little variation from the weather
@SARBIOS On your website, you can ship to Ohio. Not in this Casemate deal though? On another note, how are you liking that Gewurtztraminer you’re making? I’ve been looking for good one from a winery I know.
@scott0210 Not sure why the discrepancy. We loved the Gewurtz but haven’t made it for a few years - tho I know our distributor in Ohio has some if you are interested. It was clean, crisp & dry in style.
@winedavid49@SARBIOS Hmmm, maybe Winedavid can check on why no Ohio? I bought your Viognier here a few months ago. Your Gewurtz sounds like a style I’d like.
@scott0210
Getting the ship-to states list correct was an ongoing issue for 10+ years at wine.woot, why would it be any different here?
As mentioned in my earlier post, Praxis went from 39 ship-to states in May to 26 (now 27 with the late addition of CT) this time. It seems unlikely that they had 12 licenses expire without renewal since May. So, either the list was wrong then or it’s wrong now. Or both…
@chipgreen I agree, I’d say the list is wrong but nobody around to fix it unfortunatley. Usually when OH not on this list its pretty legit and we can just say Oh no, no Oh
Tasting Notes
Classic deep purple in color with red highlights. Rose petal, violet, cherry and plum aromas are accented by notes of cedar and toasted coconut. Black cherry, fig and blueberry flavors are complemented by a hint of vanilla and spice on the finish. This juicy, plush wine has a lingering finish with soft, medium tannins and firm acidity.
Vineyard and Winemaker’s notes
The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard on a rise in the heart of Alexander Valley – the same vineyard that we have used for over a decade. Bill likes the drainage that the slight elevation gives. After picking and de-stemming, the grapes are lightly crushed; the wine is pumped over during fermentation and left until dry. The Merlot was aged about 2 years in American oak barrels from Wisconsin chosen for the extreme tightness of their grain; one third of the barrels are new every year.
Specifications
Price Comparison
$275.40/case (including shipping) at Arbios Cellars
About The Winery
- Bill Arbios
After a notable winemaking career with many prominent wineries, Bill Arbios fulfilled a longstanding dream of having his own label with the debut of Arbios Cellars in 1993. Arbios Cellars focuses on a single Bordeaux-style red wine, made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the acclaimed Alexander Valley of Sonoma County.
Placing the emphasis on the terroir, Bill believes in honoring the character of the fruit without over-manipulating the wine. The resulting wines are ripe and intense with rich plum and cherry flavors and intriguing notes of olive and earth – a style that has been described as a cross between the new and old world.
Arbios Cellars’ production has grown from a mere 125 cases of the 1993 vintage to approximately 3000 cases today. The wine is available in major U.S. markets with distribution in numerous high-end restaurants and retail shops. In 2000, Bill launched a second label, Praxis, from the Greek word for practice. These wines, priced about half that of the Arbios label, allow Bill to experiment and practice his craft with new varietals and different terroirs. Although Bill made his reputation making Meritage blended wines, all of the Arbios and Praxis wines emphasize terroir with more than half made from a single vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, VA, WA, WV
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jan 28 - Wednesday, Jan 30
Praxis Cellars Merlot
4 bottles for $49.99 $12.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Praxis Cellars Merlot
Say what?
@rjquillin uhh… Oops…
@Thumperchick
@rjquillin all fixed.
@Thumperchick
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Praxis Cellars Merlot - $30 = 19.99%
I don’t drink much Merlot but this sounds delicious. Are we expecting sny rats to chime in?
@karenhynes I am wondering the same thing. I find merlot to be a versatile “daily drinker” option, and with this price point, I’m comfortable cranking this open after a grueling Tuesday at work. Versatile in that the varietal pairs with many cuisines. I also like the fact that this is the Alexander Valley vineyard. Very intriguing offer!
@coolac5 That’s what I do!
How does this compare to the 2013? I see that it’s a little higher alcohol, and from the description (20 months in American oak, one third new) it sounds like it might have some noticeable wood (which I like).
@DickL I would say they are very similar, but this might have a little more oak to it than the prior vintage. Same vineyard, 100% Merlot, same one man show making the wine.
@DickL @SARBIOS the 2013 is my go to Tuesday night wine. But I also found on the shelf st GO for $8, I bought a 1/2 case about 6 months ago and am down to 1 bottle left.
Nicely balanced, not heavy handed at all. Good budget bottle of merlot if you like such things.
Last time Praxis was offered, it was available in 39 states. This time, only 26 states?
Arggghh! No PA?!
Hi - Susan from Praxis checking in. Sorry about shipping; we are too small to have a license for every state. I do love this wine and it is a great every day/night wine - esp at this price. Please write in if I can answer any questions
No CT all of a sudden? I got a box of Praxis Viognier here at casemates in May. I guess some kind of license renewal issue
. Oh well…
@diman looks like list of states has been updated - CT now there
@diman My error - all good!
I really like the Praxis Viognier from the previous offer…It’s definitely not your typical grocery-store Viognier. So this Merlot has me intrigued since I’m not much of a Merlot drinker (at least not your typical grocery-store Merlot).
@TimW I think being 100% Merlot and having the while in barrel a while gives this Merlot more dimension than many
/giphy heated-movable-turtle
I enjoyed the 20-3, and Amin for a few of these at this price. That said, I opened my last 20-3 bottle a month or so ago, and while it’s still drinking well, I wouldn’t hold onto it much longer. My feeling is this is likely a ‘drink this right now’, so probably not in for a case.
@cbrehman I would say good for at least a year if it was up to me.
@cbrehman that surprises me, with the acidity and alcohol levels.(presuming they are similar) What makes you think it’s approaching going over the hill?
That sounds right! I guess I should clarify. ‘Drink right now’ to me is the sane as ‘in the next year’.
It’s all relative, right?
Either way, I’m excited to try it!
@cbrehman Great. I just found a 2004 Merlot from the same vineyard. Looking forward to trying it!
@SARBIOS Is your 2007 also from the same site?
I need to go locate my bottles from the w.w days.
@rjquillin Yes, we have never used another vineyard for the Merlot. Same vineyard since 2002! And I find Bill’s Merlot to be pretty consistent year over year with a little variation from the weather
@SARBIOS On your website, you can ship to Ohio. Not in this Casemate deal though? On another note, how are you liking that Gewurtztraminer you’re making? I’ve been looking for good one from a winery I know.
@scott0210 Not sure why the discrepancy. We loved the Gewurtz but haven’t made it for a few years - tho I know our distributor in Ohio has some if you are interested. It was clean, crisp & dry in style.
@winedavid49 @SARBIOS Hmmm, maybe Winedavid can check on why no Ohio? I bought your Viognier here a few months ago. Your Gewurtz sounds like a style I’d like.
@scott0210
Getting the ship-to states list correct was an ongoing issue for 10+ years at wine.woot, why would it be any different here?
As mentioned in my earlier post, Praxis went from 39 ship-to states in May to 26 (now 27 with the late addition of CT) this time. It seems unlikely that they had 12 licenses expire without renewal since May. So, either the list was wrong then or it’s wrong now. Or both…
@chipgreen I agree, I’d say the list is wrong but nobody around to fix it unfortunatley. Usually when OH not on this list its pretty legit and we can just say Oh no, no Oh
@chipgreen @scott0210 I’m here. Trying to get confirmation on the correct states. I’ll update when I have it.
Edit - updated! OH is included and now available for this offer.
@chipgreen @Thumperchick Better late than never!
/giphy ashamed-blind-polish
I’ll take a few for now then thank you.
Opened a bottle of this, it was delicious
@novium so glad to hear! thanks for sharing.