Full Review

French Valley Vineyard

French Valley Vineyard
2017 Reserve, Merlot, Leelanau Peninsula

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.6%
91 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$30

French Valley Vineyard
2017 Reserve, Merlot, Leelanau Peninsula

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.6%
Dark ruby color. Aromas and flavors of plum, cranberry chutney, tart cherry, and bramble berries with a satiny, crisp, dry medium body and a charming, medium-length finish that presents notes of raspberry and cranberry, red currant, plum, and baking spices. A truly delicious expression of cool climate Merlot.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: plum, cranberry chutney, tart cherry, and bramble berries
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of raspberry and cranberry, red currant, plum, and baking spices
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A truly delicious expression of cool climate Merlot.

The Producer

French Valley Vineyard

The Producer
3655 S. French Rd
Cedar, MI 49621
USA
1 231-866-1010

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.