Full Review

Robert Hall

Robert Hall
2017 Merlot, Paso Robles

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Lamb Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
90 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$19

Robert Hall
2017 Merlot, Paso Robles

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Lamb Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
Garnet black color. Inviting aromas and flavors of ripe plum, tobacco, creme brulee, raspberry jam, toasty coconut crepes, honey butter, and chocolate-dipped strawberry with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a sleek, complex, medium-long finish revealing notes of onion jam and berry quick bread with moderate oak flavor. A delicious and complex Merlot with a most inviting nose; a fabulous and elegant pairing for summer dinners.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Oaky, Rich & Full & Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: ripe plum, tobacco, creme brulee, raspberry jam, toasty coconut crepes, honey butter, and chocolate-dipped strawberry
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of onion jam and berry quick bread
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Pork Saltimbocca, Gnocchi Bolognese, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A delicious and complex Merlot with a most inviting nose; a fabulous and elegant pairing for summer dinners.

The Producer

Robert Hall Winery

The Producer
3443 Mill Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
USA
1 805-239-1616

Their Portfolio

89 Robert Hall 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.00.
89 Robert Hall 2018 Artisan Collection, Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
89 Robert Hall 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
90 Robert Hall 2017 Merlot, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.00.
90 Robert Hall 2017 Artisan Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $17.00.
89 Robert Hall 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Robert Hall 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
89 Robert Hall 2018 Chardonnay, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
89 Robert Hall 2019 Chardonnay, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
90 Robert Hall 2017 Red Blend, Paso Robles 15.7% (USA) $19.00.
92 Robert Hall 2018 Cavern Select Red Blend, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $50.00.
87 Robert Hall 2018 Cavern Select Dusi Vineyard, Zinfandel, Paso Robles 15.5% (USA) $45.00.
90 Robert Hall 2018 Cavern Select, Tempranillo, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $45.00.
87 Robert Hall 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $19.99.
87 Robert Hall 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.99.
87 Robert Hall 2018 Merlot, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.99.
87 Robert Hall 2018 Merlot, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.99.
88 Robert Hall 2018 Paso Red, Paso Robles 15.5% (USA) $19.99.
88 Robert Hall 2018 Paso Red, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $19.99.
90 Robert Hall 2021 Cavern Select Traditional Method, Grenache Blanc, Paso Robles 11.5% (USA) $40.00.

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.