Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection-a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc-is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.įine examples of California Merlot-either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend-can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Toasted oak nuances spice up the aroma of this well-balanced and nicely structured wine before blueberries and black cherries dominate the palate. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek-influenced by European Merlot blends-began crafting single varietal versions. Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Small amounts of Petit Verdot provide spice and color, while Petite Sirah contributes depth of flavor, color, and concentration.
Concentrated ripe stone fruits meet a hint of toasted oak on the palate. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. Full-bodied and robust, The Family Coppola 93rd Awards Cabernet Sauvignon delights the nose with tantalizing aromas of blueberry, mocha toffee, and dark cocoa spice. The Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon boasts delightful notes of black fruits, coffee, almond, and vanilla on the nose. Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer.
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