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Wine Details
Price:
$16.00 per bottle
Description:
The 2001 vintage was produced from fruit grown in San Ysidro Vineyards in Southern Santa Clara County. This is our first Merlot release from this vineyard, and we are very pleased with the quality of fruit grown here. Our Private Reserve Merlot is aimed toward the stylistic goal of producing a big, mouth-filling Merlot that finishes with a velvety softness. The wine is packed with a nose-pleasing array of currant, black cherry and vanilla toast aromas. Expressive tannins and understated oak allow intriguing boysenberry fruit flavors to develop on the palate. This richly flavored wine is perfect for full-flavored fare including grilled steaks, lamb chops, or tomato-based pastas. This Santa Clara County Merlot should continue to gain additional complexities in the bottle for at least another 3 - 5 years. This 2001 bottling yielded approximately 700 cases.
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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.
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