![]() ![]() Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection-a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc-is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.įine examples of California Merlot-either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend-can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. ![]() These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek-influenced by European Merlot blends-began crafting single varietal versions. Sean Minor 2020 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon (North Coast) North Coast Secondary aromas and flavors lead this varietal Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of. Full-bodied and beautifully textured, this wines flavor complexity is heightened by the addition of Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout. Coppola 93rd Awards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Wine Review Coppola 93rd Awards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States Community Score: 92/100 Community Reviews: 1 Add My Review Price: 124.95 Drink: 2021-2027 Bottle size: 750 ml Alcohol: 14. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer.
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