Purple in color with some Ruby swirls. There is a ton of volatile acidity on the nose (nail polish). Some mulberries. On the palate, this is tart and tannic. More sour cherries on the palate. It is better on the palate than the nose. Past its optimal drinking window. Drink up. Probably better without food as it might over power most foods.
This is a nice value in inexpensive Merlot. It is a blend of 88% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Medium ruby in color. The nose has plums, cherries and spice. On the palate, this is light to medium bodied. Light cherry fruit. Easy drinking. Nice finish. This is made for immediate drinking. It drinks well on its own and would be great with burgers or grilled chicken. Drink over the next couple of years.
This is the home winery from longtime Beringer winemaker, Ed Sbragia. This is an accessible Merlot that is drinking well right now. Purple in color. The nose has cherries, slight tobacco and slight chocolate. On the palate, there is not a lot of depth but the cherries are strong. A bit of a char underneath. Some tobacco on the finish. It seems like it should probably be drunk in the next few years. It will work well with burgers or pasta and has enough flavor to drink on its own. It has 95% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah.
Another in a fine line of Napa Merlot's from Flora Springs. Merlot ripens earlier than Cabernet allowing the vineyard manager to let fruit hang if needed to get ripe. No issues here despite a less than stellar growing season. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, milk chocolate and spice. A nice silky texture. Lots of black cherry fruit. Light tannins. This is still young but drinks quite easy. It will mature a bit, but is drinking great now. It should drink well over the next seven to ten years. Great on its own or a nice match for burgers or ribs.
Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is dusty with tart bing cherries. On the palate, the tart cherries continue along with some plums. This has some depth to it. Light tannins. Drinks easily with nice acidity. This will work with a wide variety of foods. It does have the slightest bit of sweetness to it. Enough to notice, but not enough that is an issue one way or another. Retails for around $16 or less. Made from organic grapes.
Oberon is part of the Michael Mondavi family of wines. This wine was quite good and very interesting. It is of course, mostly Merlot (sourced in Oakville) but there is an undisclosed amount of Zinfandel and Syrah in the wine which seems to give it a bit more structure and likely a bit of acidity as well. The people at Oberon feel it adds more lushness. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice and chocolate. Full bodied. Light to medium tannins. On the palate, this is delicious. Flavors of black cherries, milk
