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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
Paso Robles now has a more than 30-year history with Merlot, and it is doing well here. Each variety demands its own, ultimately best location: for soil, temperature, wind, and orientation to the sun. We are fortunate that Merlot has responded so favorably to our vineyard site. It is from experience with grape growing in general, with knowledge of Merlot's unique requirements, and site selection that this grape has been our bread and butter since 1990. Even though our Merlots are full-bodied, extremely long-lived, deeply flavorful wines, we have not stopped looking for ways to improve upon them. With the 2000 vintage, we introduce a new clonal selection of Merlot to blend with the grapes we planted in 1980. This comes imported just recently from Bordeaux, France. The berries are smaller, the clusters are less dense and smaller. The flavors they produce are fruiter and brighter. The color is richer. For this vintage, they add another element to make the wine more complex and interesting. We are very happy with the result. The 2000 Merlot is the real deal: lots of fruit up-front, great depth and mouth-feel. Layers of mocha and oak complete the traditional cherry base. The tannins and acid are relatively strong at this point, but this is what allows the wine to age to a silky wonder.
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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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