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Frazier Family Estate Merlot

Frazier Family Estate Merlot Wine Details
Price: $40.00 per bottle

Description: After a one year hiatus from producing a Frazier Merlot, we are pleased to announce the release of the 2002 Frazier Family Estate Merlot. Following the unfortunate frost which we experienced during the spring of 2001, we have been hesitant to predict just how our vines would come back from that damage. In some cases, the effects of frost are felt for many years afterward. During the winter of 2002, we pruned all of our Merlot blocks to a reduced crop to assist the vines in their recovery by not asking them to produce much fruit. With lower expectations of quantity, we hoped that the quality would be increased. What the vineyard did was produce what is probably our best Merlot to date.

Varietal Definition
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
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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