A Month of Merlot

Like the talented child who has been overshadowed by his elder bother, Merlot is finally beginning to regain its birthright. The self-proclaimed Merlot Month of October is as good a time as any to celebrate this grape. IntoWine hand selected four Merlots to help you rediscover why Merlot is so good.

Acumen PEAK 2021 Cabernet Franc

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

It’s always exciting to see a winery launch a new wine and for Acumen, this is their first ever Cabernet Franc. True, they have grown and used Franc for years, just not as its own bottling. This offers tight, dusty tannins supported by a mélange of dark red and black berry fruits. There is an earthy core with light black tea leaves, cigar notes and pomegranate. The oak program is evident (60% new French oak was used) but not overwhelming. Comprised mainly of Cabernet Franc, there are small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added in to finesse this already lovely wine.

2019 Château Le Grand Moulin, France, Bordeaux, Blaye, Cotes de Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

Another example of what great value there is in Bordeaux once one gets away from the classified growths.  A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, plums, spice and char.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth.  Notes of cherries, black cherries and black raspberries with some spice and a bit of earthiness.  Nice finish.  A very pleasant wine that is better with food.  This would work well with roasted fowl or meat or even root vegetables.  Drink over the next

Acumen 2021 Mountainside Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

Most wineries, like Acumen, love fruit grown on hilly terrain. The grapes have proper drainage, the addition of breezes keeps the leafy vines healthier and soils are richer in nutrients. Therefore, this Mountainside Cabernet has everything going for it. This wine requires a little bit of patience however, and decanting this for a few hours will be well worth your time. This shows the obvious black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry, and huckleberry notes that Cabernet typically has.

2021 Sineann Abondante, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

As always, this is a blend of left over single varietal wines to make a value blend.  And as always, it is a great value.  This vintage is  mostly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.  Deeper ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, char, spice and slight chocolate.  Lovely texture.  Bright acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries with some char.  Good finish.  An easy to drink red that is nice on its own and a great wine with a Burger.  Drink over the next few years.  

2020 Tree Fort Adventure Pack Red Wine Blend, USA, California, Central Coast, Wine Review

Score: 
70
Grade: 
C-
Current Price: 
$4.00USD

This is a 250ML "juice box" of 100% Merlot from California.  It retails for $15 per four pack.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, and confectionary sugar.  Light bodied.  No tannins.  On the palate, this has sour cherries.  Moderate acidity.  Short finish.  The packaging is cool for those trying to take wine next to a pool or someplace glass bottles are not allowed.  These boxes should hold the contents well but probably should be consumed sooner than later.  This would probably make a nice base for a Sangria, etc.  

2020 Tree Fort Adventure Pack Red Wine Blend, USA, California, Central Coast, Wine Review

Score: 
70
Grade: 
C-
Current Price: 
$4.00USD

This is a 250ML "juice box" of 100% Merlot from California.  It retails for $15 per four pack.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, and confectionary sugar.  Light bodied.  No tannins.  On the palate, this has sour cherries.  Moderate acidity.  Short finish.  The packaging is cool for those trying to take wine next to a pool or someplace glass bottles are not allowed.  These boxes should hold the contents well but probably should be consumed sooner than later.  This would probably make a nice base for a Sangria, etc.  

Canvasback 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$44.00USD

In just a few short years of production the Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon has become one of the de facto wines from the Red Mountain AVA in Washington state. Having reviewed this wine from multiple vintages, there is a clear consistency to its quality. Like most Cabernet you will find the requisite black cherry, blueberry, blackberry notes, but this adds huckleberry, boysenberry into the mix along with dusty tannins and a light mocha quality. But Red Mountain fruit also offers an earthiness and minerality with richer fruit.

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