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Wine Details
Price:
$75.00 per bottle
Description:
"Our 1999 Private Reserve Howell Mountain Merlot from Bancroft Ranch has a nice, bright color and supple texture. There's a cobbler-like mix of sweet plum, cinnamon, clove, berries and orange rind aromas and flavors--all sort of elegantly entangled as opposed to explosive. It seems to play on all parts of the palate, with long, lingering impressions that are delicious. I love a wine like this that is as interesting to contemplate as it is to enjoy."
- Ed Sbragia, Winemaster
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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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