Variety the Spice of Life; Merlot

Merlot is SUCCULENT, often jammy, with fruit flavors being dominate.  I am associating "EXPERIENTIAL DESCRIPTORS" in all caps with each variety, and Merlot is all about the experience.  It is less about the specific fruit flavor that is there and more about it being "JUICY" or "JAMMY."  Merlot is in the medium body territory and it can make it to full bodied and complex. 

Flavors Commonly Experienced :

• Blackberry  

• Currant

• Cherry  

• Plum

• Walnut  

• Mint

• Vanilla  

• Oak / Butter

Merlot's name comes from "merle" French for blackbird, because of the color of the fruit.  Research suggests Merlot may be a mutation of Cabernet Franc, though it also strongly resembles Carmenère. It is a relatively new grape and is believed to be native to Bordeaux, France and it is being successfully grown all over the world with the best examples coming from France, California and Washington.

Recommended Merlot...

• Merlot, CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE, Sustainably Grown, Cold Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington
• Merlot, BENZIGER, SUSTAINABLY GROWN, Sonoma County, California
• Merlot, CELLAR NO. 8, California

And please reply to this blog; what is your  favorite Merlot?

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