Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Beringer from Napa Valley, California. Bancroft Ranch Merlot has a quality I can only describe as all-around richness. Unlike some Merlots I've tasted, the wine from Bancroft has no hole in the middle. It delivers a consistent message from the first waft of its characteristic aromas through its long finish. I think this richness comes mostly from the concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors but also partly from a kind of earthy quality typical of the vineyard. Underlying these flavors are more subtle notes of anise, tobacco and leather. Ive found that these flavors become more pronounced as the wine ages and evolves, which makes me eager to monitor this vintage well into the next century. -Ed Sbragia, Winemaster Aromas of currant, chocolate, coffee and truffle. Lush, sweet and deep for the vintage, with chocolate and smoke flavors dominating. -International Wine Cellar

Red Wine by Beringer from Napa Valley, California. We've been making a vineyard-designated Bancroft Ranch Merlot since the 1987 vintage when I began to see what Merlot could really offer when planted in the right place. Bancroft Ranch is a very special vineyard that produces grapes with amazing concentration of flavors, tannins and structure. The 2003 Howell Mountain Merlot bursts with cola berry, plum, cocoa and kirsch-like cherry aromas that lead into a rich ripe black fruit flavors with hints of cedar and roasted coffee beans. It's got a bright acidity that is balanced by richness, ripe tannins and a very satisfying finish. -Ed Sbragia, Winemaster

Red Wine by Twomey from Napa Valley, California. Created by the same family that produces the impressive Cabernets of Silver Oak Cellars, the 2003 Twomey Merlot is a robust, yet elegant wine that balances intense fruit with suppleness. It displays a garnet color and a complex nose of plum, blackberry, dark chocolate and a hint of bay leaves. It has a smooth, velvety mouth-feel that builds to a crescendo of fruit and chocolate flavors and a lovely, long finish of black fruits and violets. Properly cellared this full-bodied Merlot should provide drinking pleasure until 2017. Twomey Cellars originates in a single Napa Valley vineyard, the Soda Canyon Ranch, where Merlot grows with such extraordinary complexity that it calls for a wine of its own. To showcase the brilliance and balance of these grapes, winemaker Daniel Baron and the owners of the vineyard, Ray Duncan and his family, incorporate the Old World, labor-intensive approach used by classified growths in Bordeaux. Daniel Baron, who learned to make wine this way while working with some of the greatest winemakers and cellarworkers of Pomerol and St. Emilion, demonstrates that the meticulous care involved provides a pure reflection of the Duncan's vineyard.

Red Wine by Twomey from Napa Valley, California. Our 2004 Twomey Merlot is an elegant, concentrated wine that balances delicacy and expression of fruit. It has a dark ruby color and a complex nose of black cherry, raspberry, violets and dark chocolate, with hints of lightly toasted bread. It offers multiple layers of cherry liqueur, toffee, chocolate and amaretto flavors, culminating in a long fruity finish. Given proper cellaring, this full-bodied Merlot will continue to give drinking pleasure until 2016. Twomey Cellars originates in a single Napa Valley vineyard, the Soda Canyon Ranch, where Merlot grows with such extraordinary complexity that it calls for a wine of its own. To showcase the brilliance and balance of these grapes, winemaker Daniel Baron and the owners of the vineyard, Ray Duncan and his family, incorporate the Old World, labor-intensive approach used by classified growths in Bordeaux. Daniel Baron, who learned to make wine this way while working with some of the greatest winemakers and cellarworkers of Pomerol and St. Emilion, demonstrates that the meticulous care involved provides a pure reflection of the Duncan's vineyard.

Red Wine by Cakebread from Napa Valley, California. Cakebread Cellars sources the fruit for its Napa Valley Merlot from owned vineyards and those of other growers in the Rutherford and Oak Knoll areas of the Valley and from selected microclimates in the Carneros appellation. Their objective with this wine is to create a harmonious balance between red fruit characteristics, or flavors and aromas of raspberries, red cherries and plums; and black fruit characteristics, suggestive of cassis, dark chocolate and black cherries. Blending fruit from these three areas is key to achieving this result. Up to 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure to the blend and enhances the black fruit component of the wine. Cakebread Cellars Merlot is dark garnet in color, reflecting its rich fruit character. Subtle aromas of blackberries, black tea leaves, dried herbs and vanillin are followed on the palate by fresh plum and cherry flavors offset by notes of black pepper and cassis, carrying into a touch of French oak on the finish.

Red Wine by Newton from Napa Valley, California. Aromas of dried flowers contrasted with black berry jam, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of discreet oak reveal that this is a Merlot to capture the imagination. On the palate, bright cherry, sweet current and strawberry fruit are carried by a powerful structure and well-balanced acidity. Newton Vineyard Unfiltered wines, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are the wines most closely identified with the heritage and history of the estate. The winery is recognized as an American pioneer of unfiltered wines, a philosophy that adds complexity to the winemaking process and demands meticulousness and attention to detail, but maximizes all the subtle characters of the fruit.

Red Wine by Newton from Napa Valley, California. Aromas of dried flowers contrasted with black berry jam, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of discreet oak reveal that this is a Merlot to capture the imagination. On the palate, bright cherry, sweet currant and strawberry fruit are carried by a powerful structure and well balanced acidity. Try robust meats such as duck, filet mignon or venison served with a red wine reduction sauce. The earthy flavors found in a black olive pesto offer a clever contrast to the bright fruit characters found in this Merlot.

Red Wine by Shafer from Napa Valley, California. Varietal Composition: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc The 2004 Merlot is rich purple, reflecting the vintage, and offers lush, focused flavors and aromas of bright cherries, strawberry, red and black plums, and cranberry. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine added strength, firm tannins, and age-ability. Cabernet Franc brings in lovely fragrance with a hint of violets. Flatter this Merlot's fruit by adding a similar element of fruit to poultry, pork and meat dishes (duck breast with dried cherry-Merlot sauce, roast chicken with cranberry-wild rice stuffing). Carmelized onions, roasted garlic and mushrooms are also pleasant companions.

Red Wine by Grgich Hills from Napa Valley, California. Estate grown means the grapes came entirely from Grgich Hills' own vineyards, so they have total control of the quality from the vine to the bottle. This is a full-bodied Merlot with rich aromas and flavors of ripe cherry and black berries with hints of cedar and spice. A Cabernet lover's Merlot, the wine's solid structure promises it will gain in complexity and silkiness with age.

Red Wine by Stags Leap Winery from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon This Napa Valley Merlot begins with aromas of black cherry, brambles, cedar and fennel. The palate reveals layers of black plum, licorice and vanilla supported by firm, but fine tannins. The full-bodied mid palate carries through to a nice long finish of blackberry jam and dark chocolate.

Red Wine by Provenance Vineyards from Napa Valley, California. This wine was crafted to be reflective of the vintage, the varietal and several renowned subappellations of Napa Valley. After careful destemming, the grapes were cold soaked, and then selected yeasts were added to start fermentation. Careful monitoring of the fermentation, natural clarification by gravity and age-old Bordeaux techniques produced a wine that is elegant yet rich. A medium ruby in color, the wine opens to lush red currant, blackberry and black cherry aromas, with hints of pepper and black olive evident as well. On the palate, these same flavors mingle with clove and spice, finishing with notes of cranberry and pastry crust. A long, lingering finish makes this very attractive for youthful consumption. As with any classic Merlot, thanks to the integrated tannins, this wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for 5 years. Lovely on its own, it pairs beautifully with veal roast, coq au vin and subtle, hard cheeses.

Red Wine by Luna from Napa Valley, California. Luna 2004 Napa Valley Merlot is the color of vibrant raspberries. The nose is filled with smoked, roasted walnuts and a touch of brambleberry. This is a big, muscular Merlot with an abundance of blackberry, Mission figs, and anise on the mid-palate. Seamless, elegant layers appear on the finish, with more black fruits, followed by persistent, tongue-dusting tannins. The long finish reflects the subtlety and elegance of Merlot as a varietal. This is a wine that will be enjoyable for its vibrancy, for the next two to four years. Over the next decade, it should evolve to become more defined and concentrated. Bold aromas of blackberry and smoky oak open to plush cassis and spice flavors that take on depth and richness toward the long finish. Best from 2009 through 2012. Wine Spectator 91 Points Good deep ruby-red. Blackberry, minerals and lead pencil on the nose. Juicy, spicy and penetrating, with dominant flavors of blackberry jam and minerals. The firm tannins are almost surprisingly smooth and evolved. A good 30% of this juice is from Howell Mountain, the rest from vineyards in Napa and Carneros. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Barrel Sample: 91-93 Points