#MerlotMe with Family, Friends, and Food

Some may consider the idea of #MerlotMe, a month set aside each year to honor this noble grape, a grand marketing ploy. Since the movie “Sideways”, this much maligned variety has needed plenty of love. I’ve sipped plenty of Merlot has sent me into wine nirvana although I’ve tasted examples that were disappointing; not all Merlot is worthy of the accolades. Fortunately, more than a few producers of Merlot are “upping the game” and the variety is in the glass of thankful winelovers, mine included.

Photo Credit: vinepair.com

This month, I received as samples, unique and delicious California and Washington Merlot that I’m thrilled to recommend to anyone ready to explore this classic variety once again.

Merlot is the second leading variety planted in California, the first being Cabernet Sauvignon. The State of Washington, too, is cultivating high quality Merlot that is gaining more attention. Grapes are lighter blue and black than those of Cabernet Sauvignon and have a thin skin with loose bunches of berries hanging from the vines. In general, dominant flavors include raspberry, black cherry, plum, chocolate, and cedar yet earth, herbal, and floral notes may be detected. Its home, however, is France where it’s one of the primary grapes used in Bordeaux blends. Exceptional Merlot from the Right Bank of Bordeaux (especially St. Emilion and Pomerol) has been paramount in boosting its acclaimed international reputation.

Are you looking for a few reasons to drink Merlot? I’ve got this! Pop the cork of a bottle reviewed below, pour a glass for family and friends, and pair with an array of delicious food and stellar conversation.

Several weeks ago, a dear friend invited a group to her house for a dinner party. The flavorful fall menu was sent ahead to each guest and I realized that this was the perfect opportunity to share a few bottles of Merlot. Before dinner started, we opened the Nine Hats Merlot 2014 ($25), a spot-on example of terroir from the Columbia Valley in Washington. Bright cherries and vanilla wafted from the glass. Surrounded by food friendly acidity and soft tannins, notes of blueberries, red fruit, spice and a long finish paired well with the appetizer plate of cheeses, crackers, and hummus. As the first Merlot of the evening, this choice was perfect.

During dinner, a glorious bottle of Peju Merlot 2014 ($42), a blend of 97% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, from Napa Valley was swirled and sipped with our dinner of Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon (recipe here) and Charred Sweet Potatoes with Lemon Dressing (recipe here). On the nose, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, tobacco, vanilla, and spice were mesmerizing. Mouthwatering acidity, smooth tannins, and luscious red fruit were elegant reminders that yes, wine pairs just as well with friends as it does with food. Aged for 18 months in French and American oak, I could have cellared this until 2022, but I’m happy I did not.

Of course, we had to open another mouthwatering wine, Cakebread Cellars Merlot 2015 ($54), of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, from Napa Valley. Everyone at the table agreed that aromas of black cherries, black fruit, and florals were an incredible invitation to discover more. The luscious palate, balanced and complex with medium acidity and satin-like tannins, presented flavors of blackberries, ripe black cherries, and touch of minerality. The finish was long and fruit forward and everyone begged for more pours. Fermentation was in 100% stainless steel tanks and the wine was aged for 17 months in French oak barrels.

Just last weekend, I was in Seattle visiting family and, as you may imagine, I brought three bottles of Merlot from Duckhorn Vineyards to share with dinner (and a bit of television binge-watching). Our first was the Decoy Sonoma County Merlot 2016 (($25), a well-priced blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak (photo follows below). Intense aromas of deep red fruit, exotic spice, chocolate, and cinnamon led to a concentrated, balanced palate profile with notes of red berries, black cherries, cocoa, and vanilla. Thanks to medium acidity and silky tannins, this Merlot is a terrific entry to the Duckhorn portfolio and one that was absolutely delicious to sip while cooking.

A wine that complemented our Baked Chicken Parmesan (recipe here) and roasted vegetables was the Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2015 ($56). Of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot aged in French oak for 15 months, the rich and complex wine boasted aromas of black fruit, currants, and herbs. On the palate, elements of Christmas spice, plums, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, cedar, herbs, and vanilla were ever so balanced and wrapped in lush tannins with medium acidity. The lingering finish of red cherries and coffee was one to remember…and revisit again with another bottle.

Ahhhh, the iconic Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard 2015 ($98) was a stunning wine paired with Duck Breasts Provencale and Polenta (recipe here). One of California’s first single-vineyard Merlots, the first vintage of this wine was in 1978. Full bodied and age-worthy, the blend of 91% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Petit Verdot, and .5% Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in French oak. Mesmerizing aromas of blueberries, soft red fruit, cocoa, and cranberries led to a round palate profile rife with luscious cherries, plums, gingerbread embraced by elegant tannins and medium acidity. Its structured finish left notes of chocolate and cranberries on the palate and a reminder to crave more Merlot in my thoughts.