Wines and Beyond

Red Wine by Beringer from Napa Valley, California. Bancroft Ranch Merlot has a quality I can only describe as all-around richness. Unlike some Merlots I've tasted, the wine from Bancroft has no hole in the middle. It delivers a consistent message from the first waft of its characteristic aromas through its long finish. I think this richness comes mostly from the concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors but also partly from a kind of earthy quality typical of the vineyard. Underlying these flavors are more subtle notes of anise, tobacco and leather. Ive found that these flavors become more pronounced as the wine ages and evolves, which makes me eager to monitor this vintage well into the next century. -Ed Sbragia, Winemaster Aromas of currant, chocolate, coffee and truffle. Lush, sweet and deep for the vintage, with chocolate and smoke flavors dominating. -International Wine Cellar

Red Wine by Beringer from Napa Valley, California. We've been making a vineyard-designated Bancroft Ranch Merlot since the 1987 vintage when I began to see what Merlot could really offer when planted in the right place. Bancroft Ranch is a very special vineyard that produces grapes with amazing concentration of flavors, tannins and structure. The 2003 Howell Mountain Merlot bursts with cola berry, plum, cocoa and kirsch-like cherry aromas that lead into a rich ripe black fruit flavors with hints of cedar and roasted coffee beans. It's got a bright acidity that is balanced by richness, ripe tannins and a very satisfying finish. -Ed Sbragia, Winemaster

Red Wine by Twomey from Napa Valley, California. Our 2004 Twomey Merlot is an elegant, concentrated wine that balances delicacy and expression of fruit. It has a dark ruby color and a complex nose of black cherry, raspberry, violets and dark chocolate, with hints of lightly toasted bread. It offers multiple layers of cherry liqueur, toffee, chocolate and amaretto flavors, culminating in a long fruity finish. Given proper cellaring, this full-bodied Merlot will continue to give drinking pleasure until 2016. Twomey Cellars originates in a single Napa Valley vineyard, the Soda Canyon Ranch, where Merlot grows with such extraordinary complexity that it calls for a wine of its own. To showcase the brilliance and balance of these grapes, winemaker Daniel Baron and the owners of the vineyard, Ray Duncan and his family, incorporate the Old World, labor-intensive approach used by classified growths in Bordeaux. Daniel Baron, who learned to make wine this way while working with some of the greatest winemakers and cellarworkers of Pomerol and St. Emilion, demonstrates that the meticulous care involved provides a pure reflection of the Duncan's vineyard.

Red Wine by Cakebread from Napa Valley, California. Cakebread Cellars sources the fruit for its Napa Valley Merlot from owned vineyards and those of other growers in the Rutherford and Oak Knoll areas of the Valley and from selected microclimates in the Carneros appellation. Their objective with this wine is to create a harmonious balance between red fruit characteristics, or flavors and aromas of raspberries, red cherries and plums; and black fruit characteristics, suggestive of cassis, dark chocolate and black cherries. Blending fruit from these three areas is key to achieving this result. Up to 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure to the blend and enhances the black fruit component of the wine. Cakebread Cellars Merlot is dark garnet in color, reflecting its rich fruit character. Subtle aromas of blackberries, black tea leaves, dried herbs and vanillin are followed on the palate by fresh plum and cherry flavors offset by notes of black pepper and cassis, carrying into a touch of French oak on the finish.

Red Wine by Pedestal from Columbia Valley, Washington. Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's most famous wineries, partners with Washington State wine pioneer Allen Shoup to produce the third vintage of this limited release wine. Dark cherry and blackberry aromas complement an appealing hint of toasty oak in this dense, deeply concentrated Merlot. Rich at entry, with added intensity on the mid-palate, the finish provides a lingering impression of layered black fruit.

Red Wine by Newton from Napa Valley, California. Aromas of dried flowers contrasted with black berry jam, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of discreet oak reveal that this is a Merlot to capture the imagination. On the palate, bright cherry, sweet current and strawberry fruit are carried by a powerful structure and well-balanced acidity. Newton Vineyard Unfiltered wines, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are the wines most closely identified with the heritage and history of the estate. The winery is recognized as an American pioneer of unfiltered wines, a philosophy that adds complexity to the winemaking process and demands meticulousness and attention to detail, but maximizes all the subtle characters of the fruit.

Red Wine by Newton from Napa Valley, California. Aromas of dried flowers contrasted with black berry jam, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of discreet oak reveal that this is a Merlot to capture the imagination. On the palate, bright cherry, sweet currant and strawberry fruit are carried by a powerful structure and well balanced acidity. Try robust meats such as duck, filet mignon or venison served with a red wine reduction sauce. The earthy flavors found in a black olive pesto offer a clever contrast to the bright fruit characters found in this Merlot.

Red Wine by Shafer from Napa Valley, California. Varietal Composition: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc The 2004 Merlot is rich purple, reflecting the vintage, and offers lush, focused flavors and aromas of bright cherries, strawberry, red and black plums, and cranberry. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine added strength, firm tannins, and age-ability. Cabernet Franc brings in lovely fragrance with a hint of violets. Flatter this Merlot's fruit by adding a similar element of fruit to poultry, pork and meat dishes (duck breast with dried cherry-Merlot sauce, roast chicken with cranberry-wild rice stuffing). Carmelized onions, roasted garlic and mushrooms are also pleasant companions.

Red Wine by Grgich Hills from Napa Valley, California. Estate grown means the grapes came entirely from Grgich Hills' own vineyards, so they have total control of the quality from the vine to the bottle. This is a full-bodied Merlot with rich aromas and flavors of ripe cherry and black berries with hints of cedar and spice. A Cabernet lover's Merlot, the wine's solid structure promises it will gain in complexity and silkiness with age.

Red Wine by Provenance Vineyards from Napa Valley, California. This wine was crafted to be reflective of the vintage, the varietal and several renowned subappellations of Napa Valley. After careful destemming, the grapes were cold soaked, and then selected yeasts were added to start fermentation. Careful monitoring of the fermentation, natural clarification by gravity and age-old Bordeaux techniques produced a wine that is elegant yet rich. A medium ruby in color, the wine opens to lush red currant, blackberry and black cherry aromas, with hints of pepper and black olive evident as well. On the palate, these same flavors mingle with clove and spice, finishing with notes of cranberry and pastry crust. A long, lingering finish makes this very attractive for youthful consumption. As with any classic Merlot, thanks to the integrated tannins, this wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for 5 years. Lovely on its own, it pairs beautifully with veal roast, coq au vin and subtle, hard cheeses.

Red Wine by Stags Leap Winery from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon This Napa Valley Merlot begins with aromas of black cherry, brambles, cedar and fennel. The palate reveals layers of black plum, licorice and vanilla supported by firm, but fine tannins. The full-bodied mid palate carries through to a nice long finish of blackberry jam and dark chocolate.

Red Wine by Luna from Napa Valley, California. Luna 2004 Napa Valley Merlot is the color of vibrant raspberries. The nose is filled with smoked, roasted walnuts and a touch of brambleberry. This is a big, muscular Merlot with an abundance of blackberry, Mission figs, and anise on the mid-palate. Seamless, elegant layers appear on the finish, with more black fruits, followed by persistent, tongue-dusting tannins. The long finish reflects the subtlety and elegance of Merlot as a varietal. This is a wine that will be enjoyable for its vibrancy, for the next two to four years. Over the next decade, it should evolve to become more defined and concentrated. Bold aromas of blackberry and smoky oak open to plush cassis and spice flavors that take on depth and richness toward the long finish. Best from 2009 through 2012. Wine Spectator 91 Points Good deep ruby-red. Blackberry, minerals and lead pencil on the nose. Juicy, spicy and penetrating, with dominant flavors of blackberry jam and minerals. The firm tannins are almost surprisingly smooth and evolved. A good 30% of this juice is from Howell Mountain, the rest from vineyards in Napa and Carneros. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Barrel Sample: 91-93 Points

Red Wine by Silverado from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon Toasted sunflower seeds, vanilla, savory spices, raspberry and brandied cherry aromas that follow through in the flavors. This medium bodied wine has a great mid-palate structure and a long finish.

Red Wine by Whitehall Lane from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 85% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah This appealing wine offers aromas of blackberry, violet and oak. It gains its depth from a combination of plum, wild berries and cola flavors that are beautifully balanced and lingering.

Red Wine by Gundlach Bundschu from Sonoma County, California. The 2003 Rhinefarm Merlot offers dusty cherry, cranberry, dried sage and allspice aromas. From the smooth entry, red currant and berry flavors prevail, as the well-integrated tannins and firm acidity carry the elegant structure through to a long, focused finish. Delicious upon release, this structured Merlot will benefit from five years of cellaring and continue to age gracefully for 10 to 12 years. Blend: 96% Merlot,2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec

Red Wine by Livio Felluga from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. A very intense ruby red color, this wine shows breadth and elegance on the nose, with sensations of red berry fruit, lifted by spicy notes of toasty oak. On the palate, it is broad, soft and well-structured, with sweet tannins in harmony with the acidity. Lingering fruit and spice after-aroma.

Red Wine by Seven Hills from Walla Walla Valley, Washington. 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, sourced primarily from the esteemed old blocks of Seven Hills Vineyard. A ripe, food-friendly Merlot exhibitng a broad array of flavors and aromas - toffee, violets, herb and vanilla accent ripe red and black fruit, with generous depth and length.

Red Wine by Clos Du Val from Napa Valley, California. 96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon The 2004 Merlot has a deep purple center with a garnet-tinged hue along the perimeter. Aromas of concentrated spice, black fruit, dried herbs and a touch of toast fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is rich and intense, displaying flavors of black fruit and herbs. This is a full bodied, complex Merlot, yet it is approachable, with soft, silky tannins and a lovely, lingering finish. The 2004 Merlot is an excellent example of Clos Du Val's classic style.

Red Wine by Rombauer from Napa Valley, California. Rombauer Vineyards' 2004 Napa Valley Merlot exhibits a ripe, juicy core of blueberry, plum, and black cherries that glide across the palate. Elegantly styled, this wine displays rich spice notes that highlight the fruit and add to the complexity of the wine. A full-bodied, round finish is accentuated with hints of cedar and vanilla.

Red Wine by Kenwood from Sonoma County, California. Composition: 93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon The Jack London Ranch creates distinctive red wines that have a loyal following throughout the world. The red volcanic soil and pleasantly warm climate of this hillside vineyard combine to produce rich, full-bodied wines. The vineyard crew pulls leaves off the vines to fully expose the Merlot clusters to the sun. This encourages early ripening and gives the wine flavor, depth and rich color. The 2004 vintage is known for its small production and intense ripe flavors. Rich, full-bodied mouth feel with aromatic notes of tobacco and dried sage. Flavors of vanilla and ripe plum, with an elegant, lingering finish. The rich fruit flavors found in this Merlot complement a wide range of dishes, including grilled salmon and lamb, braised beef, rich stews and pastas.

Red Wine by Matanzas Creek from Sonoma County, California. Sourced from their vineyards in Sonoma County's Bennett Valley, Matanzas Creek 2004 Merlot is skillfully blended by Winemaker Fran?ois Cordesse with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. The result is a vibrant, ambitious wine representing the winery's 26th vintage of Merlot. This wine begins with a garnet red color in the glass. A potpourri of fresh herbs arrive with the first nose, including thyme, sage, and clove with hints of hawthorn and quince. Swirling the wine once brings the second nose of dark boysenberries and velvety cherries. Distinctly spicy, the palate begins with clove, pepper, and quince, followed by a long, smooth finish with blackberry and moist earth notes, reminiscent of deep woods after the rain. The wine possesses an exceptional acidic balance complemented by soft tannins. Mineral characteristics are just beginning to develop and will, over time, offer additional elegance and complexity.

Red Wine by Rutherford Hill from Napa Valley, California. A beautiful deep red color is accompanied by aromas of black cherries, dark plums and boysenberries. This is complexed with layers of toasted oak, sweet vanilla and nutmeg. A soft entry and full mouthfeel is complemented by flavors of rich fruit, oak and velvety tannins. The wine follows with a long, soft and sweet finish. Alcohol Level: 13.9%

Red Wine by Sterling from Napa Valley, California. A rich purple-violet hue, the wine shows a rich, deep fruit concentration and jamminess. Hints of spice and toasty oak reflect vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar. The wine is bright and clear with a long full textured finish.

Red Wine by Benziger from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot Benziger Merlot is marked by aromas of bright cherry, red fruit and black plum with notes of vanillin spice which are confirmed on the palate with flavors of blackberry, chocolate and dried herb. Brimming with bright, well-developed fruit, the wine shows a rich, full-bodied middle mouthfeel, fine grained, well-integrated tannins and a long, spice and cream finish.

Red Wine by Meerlust from South Africa. This noble varietal is blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon displaying a classic cassis flavor with silky, savory tannins. Soft and spicy at an earlier age, with rounded berry flavors, this is a deep garnet-colored wine. It will develop further in the bottle for 5 - 10 years. This wine pairs well with red meat, venison, game pot-roasts and noble cheeses.

Red Wine by Kendall-Jackson from California. Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Black plum, boysenberry, and cherry flavors dance amongst the violet, chocolate and cedar notes. This wine is smooth and the tannins are refined and round. In true Merlot character, this wine caresses the mouth and lingers beyond each sip. Randy Ullom, Winemaster

Red Wine by Raymond from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, plums, cassis, earth, pepper and vanilla are followed by smooth, ripe cherry, currant and raspberry flavors with a touch of cassis, earth and chocolate. A well balanced wine with good structure, full round flavors and a lingering finish. A versatile wine that will pair well with roast pork tenderloin, barbecued pork ribs, baked ham, grilled figs with prosciutto and gorgonzola dolce, hearty pastas, grilled lamb chops and seared or smoked salmon. Delicious at an early age, but will also benefit from additional cellaring of 5-7 years past the vintage date.