Full Review

Hawk Haven

Hawk Haven
2019 Signature Series Reserve, Merlot, Cape May Peninsula

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 12.5%
87 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$42

Hawk Haven
2019 Signature Series Reserve, Merlot, Cape May Peninsula

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 12.5%
Ruby color. Aromas and flavors of vanilla, black cherry, tart pomegranate, and cigar with a satiny, bright, dry medium body and a tingling, stimulating, medium finish that exhibits notes of sweetened red grapefruit, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, and wood shavings with clunky tannins and light oak flavor. A juicy Merlot with structure to pair with a burger and brats.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: vanilla, black cherry, tart pomegranate, and cigar
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of sweetened red grapefruit, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, and wood shavings
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A juicy Merlot with structure to pair with a burger and brats.

The Producer

Hawk Haven Vineyard

The Producer
600 S Railroad Ave
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
USA
1 609-846-7347

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.