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Chalk Hill Estate Vineyard ion Adele’s Merlot

Chalk Hill Estate Vineyard Selection Adele’s Merlot Wine Details
Price: $100.00 per bottle

Description: Adele`s Vineyard is gently sloped in a bowl directly opposite the winery, with vertically trellised vines all budded to UCD Clone 01 Merlot. The soil in this four-acre block varies, with sections containing clay-loam mixtures of various sorts surrounding a knoll composed entirely of sandstone. The fruit was crafted to maximize color, tannin and weight, producing a Merlot in the classic style of "right bank" Bordeaux. The winemaker selected the finest eighteen barrels of the lot and designated them an Estate Vineyard Selection. The wine`s bouquet features ripe plum, earth, black cherry and violets highlighted by anise and spicy oak. The structure of the wine is built on soft, expansive tannins, and flavors of berries, chocolate and plums mesh in a cohesive, mouth-filling finish. The wine`s intensity can best be appreciated by adventurous food pairings. Try Lavender and Pepper Crusted Ahi Tuna with Blue Potato Puree or the heartier Lamb Schnitzel with Porcini Spaetzle to gain a true appreciation of the depth of the 1998 Adele`s Vineyard Merlot.

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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