Red - Merlot

The 2008 C Squared Merlot exhibits dark red color, intense fruit flavors including bright cherries at the beginning, a hint of anise in the middle palate and chocolate at the end. A long extended finish is characteristic of the wine. It is complex but mellow with good mouth feel in the middle and a long intense finish. providing multiple layers of flavor with good balance. The 2008 is initially fruit forward, well structured and rewards decanting with a full flavor profile. Per case including shipping –

The 2017 La Storia Reserve Merlot is a fine example of the ability of this classic Bordeaux variety to make solid, tasty and age worthy wines. The main aromas and flavors are of dark cherry, plums, a bit of black licorice and herbs. The new oak barrels contribute a touch of vanilla, brown sugar, cocoa dust and toast. On the mouth the wine is soft and viscous, balancing the acidity and the tannins well for such a young wine. The finish is long and soft with suggestion of sweetness backed by ripe tannins. This wine will age well and will reward your patience if stored well in the next 3-6 years.

This is not a wimpy Merlot.  Slightly tongue-in-cheek, but this has always been the motto for our Merlot Over and Play Dead.  Winemaker Brenda Lynch’s focus has always been on picking ripe Merlot fruit to get the black and red fruits she loves, and to get soft and ripe tannins.  The wine’s label captures this “attitude”… a big, beefy bulldog saying “bite me” is our way of saying this in not your typical Merlot.

It’s all about the fruit.  For her “Dog Series” wines, Brenda has one goal in mind – create fruit-forward wines with varietally true aromatics, mid palette weight and flavor, and a full bodied and balanced finish. The Mutt Lynch 2017 Merlot Over and Play Dead is medium-ruby in color and opens with fruit-forward aromas and flavors of red plums and cherries, with hints of black pepper spice and savory notes of tea leaf. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, nicely balanced and with a smooth, though dry finish. Enjoy it with  grilled hamburger, medium rare, covered in sauteed shitake mushrooms. A close second is meatloaf smothered in smokey bbq sauce.

“Our Merlot is well suited to the Oakville district of Napa Valley. This 2015 is a deep ruby color with aromas of red and black plums, cherry, dried herbs, and light toasty oak. Flavors match the aromas. A mouth-filling, seamless silky wine across the palate. Clean yet layered with light dusty tannins. Wonderful mid-palate texture with good length. Somewhat more concentration, typical of the 2015 vintage. Should age well for 10-15 years or more.” Heidi Barrett. The nose is amazing. Nice dark garnet color, aromas are very plummy and ripe with perfect French Oak layering. Soft across the palate yet flavors are explosive and exciting. Ripe jammy fruit with a very silky texture and mouthfeel. The tannins are quite moderate in this beautiful Oakville Merlot. I love the balance here between the acidity, fruit, and oak. Nice length too. Flavors persist for several minutes.