Synopsis, Our Opinion: A GOOD California grocery store Merlot that was better quality than it’s price would suggest.
Producer/Winery: Robert Hall Winery; Paso Robles, California.
Grape Variety: Merlot.
Geographic Appellation,, Region, Country: Paso Robles; Central Coast, California.
Vintage: 2016
Price: $10.99 (with a 30% mixed 6-pack discount)
Purchased From: Ralph’s Grocery Store; Agoura Hills, California.
Paired With: BBQ chicken, baked beans and peanut slaw.
Tasting:
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Note: This year while in California we are reviewing a substantial number of wines sold in grocery stores. This review is one of them. To see all of our grocery store wine reviews look under the keyword “Grocery Store Wines”.
Opened one hour before drinking. Opaque, inky dark purple color with a light purple rim. Lots of persistent smokey aromas with juicy plum and ripe olive in the background. Smooth, slightly rustic and spicy mouthfeel, strong medium body and a 150-grit texture. Loaded with ripe plum, cherry and wild wine berry flavors. Somewhat crisp acidity, easily overwhelmed fine grained tannins and a tart fruit and tar tasting finish. WOW…not overly sweet, a very positive characteristic since so many inexpensive grocery store red wines are dominated by sweetness. The aroma was good, plenty of excellent tastes and a finish where the tannins could just begin to show their grip. Maybe not a great Merlot, but we both said it really got in the groove with the BBQ chicken and we would buy it again for a similar rough and ready weeknight dinner. We called it a GOOD California grocery store Merlot that was better quality than it’s price would suggest.
Photo from Robert Hall Winery.
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Closure: 45mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 8 30949 00015 7
Imported by: Not applicable.