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Wine Details
Price:
$70.00 per bottle
Description:
Sterling Vineyards 2002 Reserve Merlot was created from our finest grapes of this vintage. The individual lots were selected based on the highest intensity of flavor, color, varietal concentration and tannin structure. Winemaker Mike Westrick’s vision for the Sterling Vineyards Reserve Merlot is simple. He strives to create something that stands out not only as great wine, but also a varietally true Merlot. The 2002 Reserve Merlot has a brilliant deep ruby hue with aromas of plum jam, cinnamon, and nutmeg with just a hint of root beer. On the palate, the wine exhibits toasty oak, cherries, milk chocolate, ripe plum, and baking spices. The finish is long, soft and ripe. This is a beautiful wine with roasted meat or savory cheeses.
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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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