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Wine Details
Price:
$19.95 per bottle
Description:
This wine also (as does our Nebbiolo) reflects the 2004 vintage, where drought and heat pulled out some superlative characters in red grapes. Our Ridgepoint Wines 2004 Merlot has a dark, deep, extracted red colour with purple edges as it lies in the glass. Aromas of plums and prunes rise as though they come from a deep, warm, wellspring. The taste seems to mingle black cherry, raspberry, and dark chocolate. The feel in the mouth is well filled-out, but not heavy. Tannins make themselves known in a powdery, slightly drawing way. Barrel-added spiciness, not quite vanilla, lingers at the back of the nose. This is wine that makes you curious, makes you want to come back to the glass and nail that flavour, that aroma.
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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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Nebbiolo:
The red grape of Barolo and Barbaresco from the Piedmont region of Northwest Italy. Named after the word 'nebbia', or fog in Italian, which rises around the hills of Alba, the famous truffle countryside. It is noted for its high acidity and 'mouth puckering' tannins and its distinct bouquet of black cherries, liquorice and leather. A top Barolo will take years to soften but when mature will evolve the vegetal, gamy characteristics for which this Italian classic is famous. The colour on ageing Nebbiolo wines fades rapidly to form a distinctive brownish rim.
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