Merlot

This Merlot captures the rich, ripe flavors of the Dry Creek Valley. It is a medium-bodied wine with intense flavors of blackberry and cherry, underscored by hints of spice from barrel aging.

Our full-bodied Merlot is all about taste. It’s tough not to enjoy the blended flavors of black cherry, ripe plum and hints of oak that create a velvety richness. Smooth and approachable fruit flavor matches very well with a wide range of foods including pork roast, pasta with rich tomato sauce, poultry, as well as grilled meats and vegetables.

Our Merlot has lush, velvety tannins and rich fruit, with aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherry, and blackberry with ripe plum, sweet herbs and a hint of spice. Don't be shy, Gnarly Merlot is bold enough to pair with hearty dishes, try with piping hot pizza, pork loin, porterhouse steak and roasted vegetables. Gnarly Head Merlot is boldly fruit-driven, with concentrated black stone fruit flavor. Our winemakers carefully select grapes from California's finest growing regions, choosing only the best fruit. Gnarly Head Merlot rallies to heighten the boldness of this often quiet, soft-spoken wine. Its dark fruit and balanced tannins score big on your palate.

Goldschmidt medium garnet with red berry fruit on the nose, very floral with violet and rose petal aromas, red cherry and strawberry flavors; medium-to full bodied, smoky oak in the background, soft and supple tannins, finishes with vanilla and spice.

Hahn this deep-ruby Merlot opens with aromas of dark cherry, plum, dried herbs and tea. On the palate, it is dry and full-bodied, with layers of black cur- rant, cherry, bittersweet chocolate and tobacco sup- ported by bright acid and broad tannins. The finish is long and memorable. This wine is delightful when paired with rich and hearty pasta dishes or succulent meats. Try it with grilled beef tenderloin and wild mushroom ragout, or with bold Italian pasta slathered in a meaty tomato- based sauce.

Hall the nose on our Napa Valley Merlot is intricately laced with minty plum, black currant, herbal minerality, and spiced cocoa. The mid-palate is expressly lifted with vibrant tannins that gracefully melt away under sweet baked plum, cocoa and dried rose petal flavors. With an enticing fruit presence, this wine is enjoyable now, but will mature and gain complexity over the next 3-5 years.

J. Lohr Cypress Vineyards Merlot presents a garnet red color of medium density with hues indicative of full maturation. Fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and passionfruit are complemented by a bouquet of toasted oak and cocoa powder. A large portion of Malbec in the blend increases the fruit signature with a hibuscus character. The round texture and comfortable weight of this wine is followed by a sweet, mature finish. 2010 Cypress Vineyards Merlot would pair wonderfully with beef filets with a red wine sauce or barbecued ribs. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth or cellared up to five years.

J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot presents a mature red color with a raspberry hue. Red fruit aromas of plum and pomegranate are integrated with a barrel signature of dark chocolate and baking spice. Whole berry fermentation with a generous use of Malbec as a blender accentuates the brighter fruit tones of Merlot and leaves ripe, soft tannins on the palate. An excellent pairing for cheese tortellini or herb-roasted chicken.

Jaqk Cellars this merlot has aromas of cherry, red current, raspberry, cocoa powder, cinnamon stick, sandalwood, and black olive. The palate is round, soft but vibrant, with good complexity, firm yet pliable tannins, and good bones with plenty of flesh.

An approachable blend with aromas of rich, dark fruits and baking spices on the nose, which yield fresh plum, blackberry, violet, dried fig, vanilla bean, and Chinese five-spice. Juicy with plum and blackberry flavors, prominently layered with smoky and sappy maple oak, roasted almonds, and hazelnuts, this wine finishes long with fine, firm tannins.

Our Grand Reserve Merlot is crafted with grapes hand-selected from specific areas of our Jackson Estates Grown vineyards in Sonoma County. An intense concentration of black fruit and dark chocolate is enhanced by 14 months of oak barrel aging. There is seductive fruit tone on the nose and a long, velvety finish.

Primarily Merlot with a touch of Malbec. A splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Carménère for added backbone and complexity. "Intricate layers of black cherry, plum, currant, and wild berry mingle with a hint of spice. The soft, delicate tannins of this Bordeaux varietal carry these aromas and flavors to a long lingering finish." -Randy Ullom, Winemaster

Rich and supple with a dense core of vibrant fruit, our Merlot offers aromatics of sage, leather, caramel and ginger with lush red fruit. The velvety tannins play against the rich mouth feel of ripe cherries and red candied apple.

L'Ecole No 41 Layered with enticing aromas of plum, clove and notes of violet, this full-bodied Merlot shows a robust core of cherry, blackberry and cola on a seamless finish of fine-grained, yet firm tannins.

Leese Fitch with dark ruby color, this blend has aromas of blueberry cobbler, muddled basil, red raspberry, and cherry cola. In the mouth, there are flavors of black raspberry compote, cherries jubilee, tart plum, cedar, and a hint of red apple. The finish shows French oak notes of caramel and vanilla as well as blackberry and watermelon rind.

Merlot is one of America's fastest growing red wines. Not as full-bodied as Cabernet, not quite as fruity as Chianti, our Merlot delivers rich flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry, with a smooth finish that is especially pleasing. Our Merlot's bold flavors and smooth style make it a great match for meat, pasta, or a hearty vegetarian dish. This wine is a great alternative to Burgundy! With its characteristic softness, Liberty Creek Merlot can be admirably used to contrast dishes with big, bold flavors like pasta arrabiata, or to complement more subtly flavored recipes like eggplant parmesan.