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Wine Details
Price:
$50.00 per bottle
Description:
This Merlot is from our estate vineyard, located to the right of the main parking area. The blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Malbec, both fermented and aged separately for 28 months. The Malbec brings additional structure and complexity to the wine. The signature of our Chateau St. Jean Estate Vineyard Merlot is a nose of chocolate and ripe black fruit. The 2004 bottling is no exception. Big heady aromas of chocolate and Bing cherries leap from the glass while blackberries, raspberries and hints of espresso surround big chewy tannins from the entry through the mid-palate. Highly structured and well balanced, a mouth filling note of bittersweet chocolate carries throughout a long finish. This is just a terrific wine. Anticipated maturity 2008-2013.
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Varietal Definition
Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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