Full Review

CK Mondavi

CK Mondavi
2022 Merlot, California

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.6% RS: .05%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$7
Best Buy

CK Mondavi
2022 Merlot, California

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.6% RS: .05%
Garnet color. Aromas and flavors of black plum, polished leather, and purple flowers with a velvety, crisp, dry medium body and a tingling, stimulating, medium-length finish that shows suggestions of pickled sugar plum, black cherry, leather, and lavender candy with well-integrated, medium tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A surprisingly refreshing Merlot that delivers quality fruit without the weight.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: black plum, polished leather, and purple flowers
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with suggestions of pickled sugar plum, black cherry, leather, and lavender candy
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now with food and on its own
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A surprisingly refreshing Merlot that delivers quality fruit without the weight.

The Producer

CK Mondavi & Family

The Producer
572 Gateway Drive
Napa, CA 94558
USA

Their Portfolio

86 CK Mondavi 2021 Merlot, California 13.6% (USA) $7.00.
86 CK Mondavi 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, California 12.6% (USA) $7.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2019 Oak Aged Family Select Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14.3% (USA) $16.99.
85 CK Mondavi 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.6% (USA) $7.00.
88 CK Mondavi 2022 Chardonnay, California 13.4% (USA) $7.00.
90 CK Mondavi 2022 Family Select, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $16.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2022 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $7.00.
88 CK Mondavi 2022 Merlot, California 13.6% (USA) $7.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, California 12.6% (USA) $7.00.
85 CK Mondavi 2023 Chardonnay, California 13.4% (USA) $7.00.
87 CK Mondavi 2023 Pinot Grigio, California 12% (USA) $7.00.
85 CK Mondavi 2022 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $7.00.
86 CK Mondavi 2022 Dark, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $7.00.
87 Flat Top Hills 2021 Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $15.00.
93 French Blue NV Brut Rose, Cremant de Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
92 French Blue NV Brut, Cremant De Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
92 French Blue NV Brut, Cremant de Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
91 French Blue NV Brut Rosé, Cremant de Bordeaux 12% (France) $26.00.
91 French Blue NV Brut Rosé, Cremant De Bordeaux 12% (France) $24.00.
91 French Blue NV Brut, Cremant De Bordeaux 12% (France) $24.00.
91 French Blue 2023 Rosé, Bordeaux AOC 13% (France) $15.00.
91 French Blue 2021 Bordeaux Rouge, Bordeaux AOC 13.5% (France) $15.00.
88 French Blue 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux AOC 12% (France) $15.00.

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.