Full Review

Oak Farm Vineyards

Oak Farm Vineyards
2018 Estate Grown, Merlot, Lodi

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
87 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$35

Oak Farm Vineyards
2018 Estate Grown, Merlot, Lodi

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of warm berry cobbler, cafe latte, and candied bacon with a round, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, amusing, medium-long finish displaying notes of butterscotch with heavy oak flavor. A smoky, oaky Lodi Merlot with warm spices and a toasty persuasion.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: warm berry cobbler, cafe latte, and candied bacon
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of butterscotch
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A smoky, oaky Lodi Merlot with warm spices and a toasty persuasion.

The Producer

Oak Farm Vineyards

The Producer
23627 N. DeVries Rd.
Lodi, CA 95242
USA
1 209-365-6565

Their Portfolio

86 Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Barbera, Lodi 15% (USA) $24.00.
92 Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Zinfandel, Lodi 15.5% (USA) $24.00.
92 Oak Farm Vineyards 2017 Raffaele Estate Grown Red Blend, Lodi 15% (USA) $40.00.
BR Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Estate Grown, Primitivo, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $35.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Tievoli Red Blend, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
94 Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Hohenrieder Single Vineyard, Zinfandel, Lodi 15.5% (USA) $35.00.
90 Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Estate Grown, Petit Verdot, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $35.00.
87 Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Estate Grown, Malbec, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $35.00.
87 Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Estate Grown, Merlot, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $35.00.
94 Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Genevieve Estate Grown, Red Meritage, Lodi 15% (USA) $40.00.
88 Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 15% (USA) $40.00.
91 Oak Farm Vineyards 2020 Albarino, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
90 Oak Farm Vineyards 2020 Fiano, Lodi 14% (USA) $26.00.
88 Oak Farm Vineyards 2020 Rosé, Lodi 12.5% (USA) $20.00.
85 Oak Farm Vineyards 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi 14% (USA) $20.00.
BR Oak Farm Vineyards 2021 Estate Grown, Albarino, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $22.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Oak Farm Vineyards 2021 Fiano Estate Grown White Blend, Fiano, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $26.00.
87 Oak Farm Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $20.00.
87 Oak Farm Vineyards 2021 Rose, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $20.00.
89 Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Barbera, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $25.00.
88 Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Estate Single Vineyard, Sangiovese, Lodi 14% (USA) $35.00.

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.