Varietal: Merlot (90% Merlot; 10% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Region: California – Livermore Valley – USA
Cost: $15
A darker red in color with aromas and flavors of blueberries, chocolate, and dark cherries with hints of cigarbox, brambles, and caramels. Â Lush in flavor with a subtle tannic finish. Â Pairs well with gourmet pizza or grilled hamburgers.
Recommendations: I was quite thrilled when Concannon sent me this bottle as I’ve been trying to delve more into Merlot having had bad experiences with it in the past, but better ones recently. Â After letting the wine settle for a week (I try to let any samples that get sent to me rest after being tossed around in shipping), I opened it on Friday night after a trip to the store with the wife as there was a distinct lack of food in the house.
Paired with a pizza topped with basil, sliced tomato, and buffalo mozzarella, the wine was a nice compliment, the subtle finish neither overpowering or underwhelming, and the notes of cherry and cigarbox being enjoyable both while eating the pizza, and after we were done and relaxing from a long week at work.
My only complaint with this wine? Â Concannon uses the thickest glass bottles I have ever seen. Â Makes the bottles real heavy to lift when they’re filled with wine. Â Other than that this was a definite win in my book and a great way to continue my exploration of quality Merlot. Â One worth checking out. Â If you can’t find it at your local store you can order it directly from Concannon or by clicking here.
