Merlot Wine Reviews
In water one sees one’s own face, but in wine one beholds the heart of another.
-Anonymous
Red, red wine… sparkling in its glory… beckoning the merry to savor its goodness. Romantic by disposition, ethereal in feel; wine has always been referred to as the elixir of life, the tie that binds friends and the symbol of love. And if one must partake of the goodness of this palatable drink, then what could be better than “Merlot”, the perfect drink, especially for those who’re new to wine drinking.
A specialty of Bordeaux, Merlot was used primarily for wine blending. It was used essentially for mixing with Cabernet. However, over the years, Merlot has established itself in its own right, as a great wine that is soft on the palate, goes with almost all kinds of cuisines and has a delightful aftertaste.
Merlot wine reviews have proved Merlot to be round and full bodied, smooth and having an excellent finish. Its gaining popularity has led to an explosion in production all over the world including Italy, Chile and the U.S. (Napa Valley, CA being a leading producer)
Hardier than the Cabernet, the Merlot grape variety is less prone to disease and change in climatic conditions. It matures quicker than other varieties, making it easier to harvest it in a shorter time span as compared to other grape varieties. Though Merlot has lesser tannins than Cabs, it is full bodied and has fairly high alcohol content. As an accompaniment, merlot goes very well with red meats, chicken and cheese based dishes. The drink has garnered great compliments in Merlot wine reviews having been called “Wonderful with ripe cheeses, lamb chops or pasta with wild mushrooms.” (Sally Belk King, Style Weekly, 2001 on Xplorador Merlot 2000). It also goes amazingly well with dark chocolate.
The merlot has a great fruity bouquet and offers flavors of plum, black cherry, black currant and blueberry. The Wine News in April 2004 commented on the Xplorador Merlot 2003 saying,” Intense purple hue. Perfumed scents of plum and blueberry preserves with a fresh oak nuance. Youthful and vibrant on the palate with generous, jammy fruit flavors. Peppery tannins carry through to a surprisingly lengthy finish.”
If you want to try out some good vintage Merlot, the Red Metal Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2005 would provide you with fragrant red wine with a black fruit flavor and a chocolate under taste. This wine comes in a seductive dark red color, fewer tannins and has an oaken bouquet. The Kathy Lynskey 15 Rows Reserve Marlborough Merlot 2004 on the other hand, comes with meatier tannins, laced with a sweet and spicy bouquet. Full bodied, with a cherry, plum flavor, it’s perfect for being teamed up with red meats and cheese/tomato based pastas. The Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2004 (sc), the Kathy Lynskey 15 Rows Marlborough Merlot 2003, the Te Mata Awatea 2003 - Hawkes Bay and the Saint Clair Rapara Reserve Merlot 2003 are some other good Merlots that are worth exploring.
With a vast variety of merlot available in the market, you would surely be able to find the right blend that satiates your palate and warms your senses. Merlot fans delight in the fact that this wine complements almost all kinds of food, doesn’t take ages to mature in the cellar and is light enough to be enjoyed by those who’re new to wine tasting, making it an awesome choice for a gathering with friends and acquaintances.
