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Wine Details
Price:
$22.00 per bottle
Description:
Greg Lewis’ Riverstone Vineyard, on the Mokelumne River, sits in a unique microclimate. Nestled between the Sierra Foothills and the river, the Riverstone Vineyard has a much longer growing season than much of the Lodi Appellation, giving us fruit with intense fruit, good acid and soft tannins. In addition to great Merlot, Greg also grows some amazing Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. The 03 Riverstone contains 16% of the former and 5% of the latter; we blend these other varieties to add complexity and structure to the finished wine. Always an eminently drinkable wine, our 2003 Riverstone Merlot is unusually soft in the mouth for a wine so rich. The rich mouth-feel and soft tannins are accentuated by bright cherry, chocolate and mint flavors. It will be at its best over the next three to five years.
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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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Cabernet Franc:
Cabernet Franc is an accessible, spicy, herbal, dark blue grape variety that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Sometimes the French refer to Cabernets, which could mean either of the two grapes. Its typical aromas include an herbaceous and pronounced peppery nose, even in ripe fruit, and something eerily like tobacco. The Cabernet Franc ripens at an earlier stage, which gives it reason to exist in the Bordeaux area. In the Loire, where we find it a lot, it gives a clear red fresh and fruity wine.
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