Full Review

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate
2019 Estate, Merlot, American

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.8%
86 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$18

Biltmore Estate
2019 Estate, Merlot, American

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.8%
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate toffee, berry pie a la mode, jerky, and cherry cola with a supple, soft, fruity medium body and a polished, buoyant finish displaying notes of vanilla yogurt nuts with fine tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A solid Merlot that will cover a lot of bases.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, New World & Savory
Aroma Aroma: chocolate toffee, berry pie a la mode, jerky, and cherry cola
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of vanilla yogurt nuts
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A solid Merlot that will cover a lot of bases.

The Producer

Biltmore Estate Wine Co.

The Producer
1 N. Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
USA
1 828-225-1487

Their Portfolio

89 Antler Hill 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $75.00.
BR Antler Hill 2018 Pinot Noir, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County 14.8% (USA) $50.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Antler Hill 2021 Chardonnay, Carneros 14.5% (USA) $40.00.
89 Biltmore Estate 2019 Limited Release, Malbec, American 13% (USA) $28.00.
88 Biltmore Estate 2019 The Hunt Red Blend, Sonoma County 14.8% (USA) $45.00.
85 Biltmore Estate 2019 Limited Release, Petit Verdot, American 14.1% (USA) $28.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2019 Estate, Merlot, American 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2020 Limited Release, Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.7% (USA) $22.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Biltmore Estate 2020 Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2020 Chardonnay, American 13% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Biltmore Estate 2020 Pinot Grigio, American 13.5% (USA) $15.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2019 Limited Release, Pinot Noir, American 13.9% (USA) $28.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Chardonnay, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Pinot Noir, American 14.1% (USA) $22.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2021 Pinot Grigio, American 13.5% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Biltmore Estate 2021 Pinot Grigio, American 13.5% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2022 Limited Release, Chenin Blanc, American 13% (USA) $19.00.
BR Biltmore Estate 2022 Limited Release, Gewurztraminer, American 13.2% (USA) $21.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Biltmore Estate 2021 Riesling, American 13% (USA) $18.00.
87 Biltmore Estate 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, American 13.9% (USA) $22.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2021 Merlot, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
92 Biltmore Estate 2020 Limited Release, Malbec, American 13.9% (USA) $30.00.
93 Biltmore Estate NV Cardinal’s Crest® Winemaker’s Blend, American 14.1% (USA) $22.00.
87 Biltmore Estate Cardinal’s Crest Bottle Package 14.1% (USA) $22.00.
85 Biltmore Estate 2021 Chardonnay, American 13.9% (USA) $18.00.
86 Biltmore Estate 2022 Chardonnay, American 13.9% (USA) $15.00.
87 Biltmore Estate 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, American 13.9% (USA) $15.00.
88 Biltmore Reserve 2019 Reserve, Cabernet Franc, North Carolina 12.5% (USA) $40.00.
86 Biltmore Reserve 2019 Chardonnay, North Carolina 13% (USA) $25.00.
86 Biltmore Reserve 2021 Chardonnay, North Carolina 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
91 Biltmore Reserve 2022 Chardonnay, North Carolina 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
92 Vanderbilt Reserve 2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 14.5% (USA) $40.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.