Sonoma County's maritime proximity provides the stable, mild climate that is perfect for the production of premium Merlot. We source our grapes throughout the county and aim to create a balanced blend that embodies the true taste of Sonoma. Visual Aspect: Ruby red.
Nose: Ripe black cherry, lively raspberry, plum, currant,...
The fact is, Kunde Estate's vineyards are located at a great spot in Sonoma Valley for growing superb Merlot grapes. Go further south, and it gets too cool for the fully ripe flavors we love. Go up north in the valley and it starts to get too darn hot and dry. This wine is text book with ripe black cherry flavors, and a hint of toasty oak, supple tannins, and a milk chocolate flavor that lingers after each sip. With a texture and body falling somewhere between Cabernet and Pinot Noir, this beauty can match so many foods: pasta with fresh tomatoes, parmesan, and basil; grilled chicken or ahi; even a nice juicy steak. Enjoy the taste that comes from our Merlot-growing 'sweet spot'. -Tim Bell, Winemaker
The fruit for Clos Du Bois' Merlot comes from vineyards in Sonoma County's Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Extended maceration enhances color, flavor and mouthfeel, and aging for 18 months in 60-gallon oak barrels ads softness and a subtle vanillin component. Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and complexity, and enlivens the subtle...
Complex cherry, chocolate and black fruit aromas jump from the nose of this Merlot. On the palate, black cherry, cedar and roasty tobacco lead to a full, round mouth with firm structure and elegance.
DeLoach Merlot Russian River 2005
DeLoach Vineyards’ Russian River Valley Merlot has a true varietal voice with aromas of blackberry fruit leather, dusky black cherry and cedar box. Immediate flavors of sarsaparilla and cassis are framed by a kiss of oak developing into sophisticated layers of baker's chocolate and black truffles.
DeLoach Merlot Russian River 2005
DeLoach Vineyards’ Russian River Valley Merlot has a true varietal voice with aromas of blackberry fruit leather, dusky black cherry and cedar box. Immediate flavors of sarsaparilla and cassis are framed by a kiss of oak developing into sophisticated layers of baker's chocolate and black truffles.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot 2006
Merlot has gotten a bad rap in recent years as a wimpy wine, but Alexander Valley Vineyards is convinced they will change a lot of minds with their 2006 Estate Merlot. It's dense and rich, qualities a lot of folks associate with Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Kevin Hall calls this a Merlot...
Benziger’s 2005 Sonoma County Merlot has flavors of red cherry, plum, blueberry, pepper and toast. Well integrated tannins give the wine a soft, textured mouthfeel and lingering finish.
Ravenswood Merlot Sonoma Valley 2004
Ravenswood's taste in Merlot runs more toward the Old World discipline of Bordeaux than toward California goose-down comforters. The place in Sonoma to pursue that ideal is Ravenswood's own Carneros region, whose bayfront breezes and chilling fog keep things firm and well-structured. Their Sonoma County Merlot has notes of leather, smoke...
Sebastiani Merlot Sonoma County 2005
A warm, dry spring melded into a picture-perfect summer, with warm temperatures, cool breezes and very few hot or cold days. However, their harvest was thrown into overdrive during the last week of August, when temperatures spiked into the triple digits! A normal, ten to twelve week long harvest was compressed...
A satisfying Merlot that delivers layers of fruit flavors and aromas. The Stone Cellars Merlot is luscious and well-balanced with ripe strawberry and red cherry flavors, a soft-mid palate and finishing with a hint of baking spice. You'll enjoy sipping this wine as a pre-dinner aperitif or pairing it fruit-infused meat...
Sourced from gravel benchlands in the Alexander Valley, the Merlot displays what can best be described as opulent restraint. The palate flavors are both savory (espresso/walnut) and fruit driven (pomegranate/cherries), while the structure is at once tightly strung and plush.
Murphy Goode achieves considerable complexity of aroma and depth of flavor in this Alexander Valley Merlot through selection from several different vineyard sources. The steep hillside estates of Murphy Ranch and Robert Young Vineyards, in the heart of Alexander Valley provide the wine’s core of black fruit components, while vineyards on...
Blackstone Merlot Sonoma Reserve 2006
The Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot offers pleasing aromas of fresh raspberry, black currant, clove and vanilla with a hint of earthiness. The wine is full-bodied with layers of bright red fruit, coffee and clove, finished with nice, well-integrated structure and a velvety mouthfeel. Try serving this soft and silky wine with...
Simi Winery Merlot expresses the perfect combination of their vine-specific vineyard care and the meticulous attention paid to the details in the vineyard. The lavish attention each vine receives allows Simi's winemaking staff to practice winemaking with very minimal manipulation, resulting in wines that are true expressions of the diversity of...
