94 Points from Great Northwest Wine, which says:
Best Buy! One of the least expensive examples of Merlot also ranked near the top, thanks to Ivy League-trained winemaker Joshua Maloney and the Aquilini family’s vast plantings across Red Mountain and the Horse Heaven Hills. The Cornell graduate’s use of American oak, 33% new wood, adds vanilla, chocolate and baking spice to the profile of blackberry, plum and violets, which come together for a creamy approach and enjoyable farewell.
The winery says:
Blackberry, espresso, plum, with hints of licorice and vanilla on the nose. Round and full on the palate with chewy tannins and a core of rich, ripe black fruit. Finishes clean with lingering notes of blackberry preserves.
Outstanding and an Editors’ Choice (above both the Can and Red Blend) for the Wine Enthusiast:
Vibrant aromas of black raspberry, herbs and orange pith lead to bright, supple, juicy fruit flavors. Lightly grainy tannins back it up. Chocolate notes linger on the finish. It's a pretty expression of the variety and provides a lot of value.
Dunnuck agrees, rating this the best of the Be Human wines:
The 2019 Merlot Be Human is a juicy, fruit-forward, satisfying Merlot offering plenty of mulled cherry and redcurrant fruit, some vanilla spice and herbal notes, medium body, and a good finish. Drink this charmer over the coming 2-3 years.
