Full Review

Monte De Oro

Monte De Oro
2017 Estate Grown, Merlot, Temecula Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.9%
94 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$35

Monte De Oro
2017 Estate Grown, Merlot, Temecula Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.9%
Dark dusty garnet color. Aromas and flavors of raspberry preserves, apricot tart, red and black licorice, and caramel with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, involved, long finish with accents of coconut, almond, and dried pineapple with moderate oak flavor. A balanced, never-heavy Merlot with distinctive Temecula flair; enjoy peachy nuances and a highly drinkable style.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Oaky, Rich & Full & Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: raspberry preserves, apricot tart, red and black licorice, and caramel
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with accents of coconut, almond, and dried pineapple
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A balanced, never-heavy Merlot with distinctive Temecula flair; enjoy peachy nuances and a highly drinkable style.

The Producer

Monte De Oro Winery

The Producer
35820 Rancho California Rd
Temecula, CA 92591
USA
1 951-491-6551

Their Portfolio

88 Monte De Oro 2016 Estate Grown, Zinfandel, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $44.00.
92 Monte De Oro 2017 Monte De Oro Vineyard Estate Grown, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 13.2% (USA) $32.00.
92 Monte De Oro 2017 Simplexity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $43.00.
92 Monte De Oro 2016 Unique Elements Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14% (USA) $32.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2017 Vigna Vicini Red Blend, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $38.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2016 Estate Grown, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 13.6% (USA) $32.00.
95 Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.7% (USA) $46.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2016 1516 Estate Grown, Grenache, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $35.00.
89 Monte De Oro 2019 Muscat Canelli, Temecula Valley 11.6% (USA) $24.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $38.00.
94 Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.9% (USA) $35.00.
89 Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown, Cabernet Franc, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $43.00.
92 Monte De Oro 2017 Syngergy 65 Owner’s Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.9% (USA) $40.00.
92 Monte De Oro 2016 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $90.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2016 Reserve, Malbec, Temecula Valley 13.4% (USA) $90.00.
90 Monte De Oro 2016 Estate Grown Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $90.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2016 Estate Grown Reserve Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 14.9% (USA) $90.00.
90 Monte De Oro 2017 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $34.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 16.4% (USA) $40.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2015 Estate Grown Reserve Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 11.4% (USA) $90.00.
94 Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown, Zinfandel, Temecula Valley 15.6% (USA) $40.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2016 Vigna Vicini Reserve Red Wine Blend, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2018 Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.4% (USA) $46.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown, Cabernet Franc, Temecula Valley 14.4% (USA) $45.00.
89 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Simplexity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.3% (USA) $38.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 13.9% (USA) $45.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2018 Estate Grown Vista Del Monte Vineyard Vigna Vicini Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $42.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Bolle De Oro Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley 11.2% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Estate Grown, Sauvignon Blanc, Temecula Valley 13.2% (USA) $20.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2021 Nostimo, Temecula Valley 13.6% (USA) $24.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Galway Vineyard, Viognier, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $23.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Canelli, White Muscat, Temecula Valley 11.7% (USA) $24.00.
90 Monte De Oro 2018 Cuvée De Oro Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $35.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2017 Reserve Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $70.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2017 Reserve Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2017 Unique Elements Estate Grown Red Blend, Temecula Valley 15.1% (USA) $32.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 DePortola Vineyard, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $35.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2021 Synergy 65 Rosé, Temecula Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2021 Estate Grown, Chardonnay, Temecula Valley 14% (USA) $25.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley 14.1% (USA) $42.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2018 Deportola Vineyard, Merlot, Temecula Valley 14.6% (USA) $35.00.
86 Monte De Oro 2018 Simplexity, Red Meritage, Temecula Valley 14.3% (USA) $43.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2017 Vineyard Reserve, Malbec, Temecula Valley 13.4% (USA) $90.00.
93 Monte De Oro 2018 Synergy 65 Owners’ Red Blend , Temecula Valley 14.8% (USA) $44.00.
85 Monte De Oro 2018 Vineyard Estate Grown, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $44.00.
BR Monte De Oro 2017 Estate Grown Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.2% (USA) $90.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Monte De Oro 2017 Vineyard Reserve, Petite Sirah, Temecula Valley 14.9% (USA) $90.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2017 Vigna Vicini Vista Del Monte Vineyard Reserve Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.7% (USA) $90.00.
87 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15% (USA) $48.00.
91 Monte De Oro 2019 Congruity Red Blend, Temecula Valley 14.2% (USA) $40.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2019 Estate Grown Monte De Oro Vineyard, Tempranillo, Temecula Valley 12.9% (USA) $35.00.
88 Monte De Oro 2018 Reserve, Syrah, Temecula Valley 15.6% (USA) $90.00.

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.