2021 Venn St. Helena Carbonic Merlot is pale to medium ruby, with aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, rose stem, and subtle jalapeño. Juicy and bright on the palate, it shows red cherry and currant, with lively acidity and a light, lingering tannic grip. Fermented whole cluster for 15 days in stainless steel, then foot-treaded and aged 9 months in neutral French oak. 12.6% ABV, 55 cases produced. An unusually distinctive, light-footed expression of Napa Valley Merlot.

Young Inglewood is a member of the Mercury Wine Syndicate, an exclusive group of 27 primarily Napa Valley boutique producers. The syndicate takes its name from Mercury, the Roman god of communication and commerce, as well as Napa's 19th-century mercury-mining history.