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Benchmark Merlot

Benchmark Merlot Wine Details
Price: $35.00 per bottle

Description: Professionally evaluated on May 22/06 and declared under priced. Big and jammy is what "Hollywood and Vines" tasters dubbed the Benchmark Merlot and went on to say that wineries with $100 bottles should watch out for this one. We like to think of our Benchmark Merlot with a little less hyperbole. The blackberry and cherry flavours are well integrated with the French oak, but really, ripe fruit tannins are the key to this wine's structure. Concentrated intense cranberry and blackberry play off against hints of leather, cigar box and vanilla. At three years old this wine may seem too young on its own, so lay it down and wait for cellaring to work ts magic or pair the Benchmark Merlot 2003 with big juicy roasts, chops or steaks and have it for dinner now.

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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