Synopsis, Our Opinion: An outstanding California Merlot.
Producer/Winery: Ridge Vineyards; Cupertino, California.
Grape Variety: Merlot.
Geographic Appellation,, Region, Country: Santa Cruz Mountains; San Francisco Bay, California.
Vintage: 2016
Price: $49.50 (with a club discount)
Purchased From: Ridge Vineyards; Cupertino, California.
Paired With: Potatoes chips with beans, salsa, peppers, onions, cheese and lettuce
Tasting:
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Opened one hour before drinking. Clear, rich ruby color with a light violet rim. Spectacular wet wood, blackberry, coffee and vanilla aromas. Silky smooth, juicy and rich mouthfeel that was nothing short of fantastic, solid medium to full body and a 200-grit texture. Blackberry, tart current, dark cherry, coffee and dark chocolate flavors. Rousing fresh acidity, soft tannins that build a delicious dusty grip in the very long blackberry spicy fruit finish. WOW this was so fruity it tasted like fresh picked blackberries. Plenty of California sunshine, but a profusion of Bordeaux character too. This was GREAT Merlot…we recommend it and called it an outstanding California Merlot. We do have more in our cellar, but we’re going to try an let it age a bit before opening the next bottle.
Photo from TastedOnline.com.
See also: our reviews of other Ridge Vineyards wines.
Alcohol Content: 13.4%
Closure: Aluminum covered 50mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 7 44442 15100 4
Imported by: Not applicable.