Full Review

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
2020 Merlot, Finger Lakes

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Chicken Lamb Pasta

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.4% RS: .2%
90 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$31

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
2020 Merlot, Finger Lakes

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Chicken Lamb Pasta

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.4% RS: .2%
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of honey baked berries, baking chocolate, and coffee bean with a silky, bright, medium body and a smooth, amusing, medium-length finish with shades of toffee and mixed red berries with well-integrated, fine tannins and moderate oak flavor. A tangy, appetizing, oak-accented Merlot with nice fruit, depth and balance.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, New World, Old World & Savory
Aroma Aroma: honey baked berries, baking chocolate, and coffee bean
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with shades of toffee and mixed red berries
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years with food and on its own
Recipes Pairing: Shish-Kabob, Beef Stroganoff, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A tangy, appetizing, oak-accented Merlot with nice fruit, depth and balance.

The Producer

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

The Producer
5712 State Route 414
5712 State Route 414
Hector, NY 14841
USA
1 607-546-2565

Their Portfolio

87 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Pinot Gris, Finger Lakes 13% (USA) $16.00.
BR Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Finger Lakes 13.7% (USA) $17.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2019 Gruner Veltliner, Finger Lakes 12.5% (USA) $12.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Gewürztraminer, Gewurztraminer, Finger Lakes 14.3% (USA) $15.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Homestead Reserve, Riesling, Finger Lakes 12.5% (USA) $23.00.
85 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Riesling, Finger Lakes 10.6% (USA) $12.00.
85 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Finger Lakes 13% (USA) $31.00.
87 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes 12.6% (USA) $26.00.
BR Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Finger Lakes 12.8% (USA) $29.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Sweet, Riesling, Finger Lakes 11.3% (USA) $12.00.
BR Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV White Cat, Niagara, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Pink Cat Blush, Catawba, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
86 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Red Cat Red Blend, Catawba, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
88 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Red Cat Dark, Concord, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
86 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Port, Finger Lakes 18.2% (USA) $17.00.
98 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Solera Sherry, Finger Lakes 22% (USA) $21.00.
88 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Finger Lakes 11.4% (USA) $17.00.
89 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2021 Gewurztraminer, Finger Lakes 12.6% (USA) $18.00.
BR Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2021 Unoaked, Chardonnay, Finger Lakes 11.7% (USA) $16.00. - Bronze Medal
91 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Schooner White Blend, Finger Lakes 11.5% (USA) $14.00.
85 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2021 Dry Rosé, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $17.00.
88 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes 13.6% (USA) $29.00.
89 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Finger Lakes 13.9% (USA) $31.00.
90 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV White Stag Blend, Finger Lakes 11.5% (USA) $9.00.
88 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV White Cat, Niagara, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
89 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Pink Cat Blush, Catawba, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
86 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Red Cat Red Blend, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
87 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Red Cat Dark, Concord, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $8.00.
85 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards NV Solera Sherry, Finger Lakes 21.6% (USA) $21.00.
90 Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Finger Lakes 14.4% (USA) $31.00.

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.