Sometimes you just crave Merlot
My Favorite wine guy is back. He sent me a great write up on a wonderful Merlot that I wanted to share with you all. I hope you enjoy!~~~~
I’m not the biggest fan of Merlot, and no, it has nothing to do with the movie “Sideways”. I simply don’t find it to be as interesting or consistent as most of my favorite wines. There are, however, always exceptions and sometimes you just crave Merlot. What better way to fill that craving than with a bottle of Pride Mountain Merlot and what better thing to pair with a big strapping Merlot than a Porterhouse steak? I don’t think there exists a better example of perfection in simplicity.
Pride Merlot comes from mountain top vineyards that span the Napa / Sonoma border and is made from high altitude fruit, fruit which has to work hard to ripen and results in more depth and acidity in the grapes. From esteemed wine maker Bob Foley, Pride wines are well respected for their ability to retain balance in the face of extreme richness and intensity . They are not cheap but sometimes you do get what you pay for and this bottle was worth every penny.
Pride Mountain Vineyards, Merlot 2005
My notes:
A luminescent, black cherry color. Rich aromas rise from the glass, first of plum, licorice and vanilla but then an underlying hint of forest floor which adds an inviting complexity to the bouquet. A rich, brooding and palate coating wine that tastes of raisins and black currant jam with a seductive cinnamon, chocolate finish that goes on and on. Chewy yet easy drinking and surprisingly refreshing. This is not a wine for the timid, this is decadence in a bottle.
~Eric
