theCompass
 Home   Map   Blog Roll   WineCompass   Wine 101   My Compass 

Somerset Harvest

Somerset Harvest Wine Details
Price:

Description: Somerset is 100% Merlot with fruity, grape scents highlighted by a lingering, sweet finish. We allowed the Merlot grapes on our Somerset Vineyard outside Palisade to ripen an additional four weeks after the rest of the vineyard was picked. During that time the grape sugars rose to 30 degrees Brix. The wine was fermented with no skin contact, resulting in a natural light-salmon “blush” to the wine. Fresh floral scents with ripe strawberries and black cherries come through in the nose. The balance is superb, making it an excellent choice of a variety of sipping situations, from aperitif to dessert-in-a-glass coupled with fresh fruit or dark chocolate.

Varietal Definition
Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.


Reviews




Back to Plum Creek Cellars information