Dynamite Vineyards Merlot
Name Dynamite Vineyards
Varietal Merlot
Region Central Coast, California
Country USA
Year 2013
Price $12.99
When was the last time you thought "man, I could really go for a glass of Merlot"? Probably never...unless you are 65+ and pouring it from a glass jug into a cup of ice. Or maybe that was just my sweet grandmother ;-) Back in the day, Merlot kind of got a bad rap after it become known as a low-quality, mass-produced wine. Truth is, Merlot is some really great stuff! It is quite the chameleon in the sense that it really changes its flavor profile depending on climate, soil type, and region. Warmer climate Merlots tend to be upfront with the cherry, raspberry, and cocoa. Tannins are often much softer. Cooler climate Merlots have minerality, acidity, and a roasted note. These may be mistaken for a Cabernet Sauvignon.
This Central Coast Merlot, being the warm climate wine that it is, really brought it with that juicy cherry. If you like fruit-forward wines, this might be your new fave. I could also tell that it had spent a decent time in oak barrels. I can tell this because of the vanilla and spice (cinnamon, clove, etc.) that were on the palette and nose. Pairing Merlot is super easy! This wine lives a good meal. It will pair with most everything except maybe salads and spicy foods.
If you thought Merlot was outdated, I encourage you to give it a go! This Dynamite Vineyards Merlot gets a 3.1/5
