Anyone who snubs Merlot because of the movie Sideways is seriously missing out!   Some of the Merlots I have tried are as complex as a Cabernet.   I’m definitely a fan of Washington wines, and Merlot from Washington is almost always good.

I tried the Code Noir at a tasting at California Wine Merchants in downtown Manhattan (http://cawinemerchants.com/) – great shop with a friendly, wine savvy staff!

This wine smells like a forest!   It also reminded me of being a barrel room at a winery, which I love of course  I also got dark berries and chocolate on the nose.   Amazing sweet oaky bite on the finish.   Definitely a campfire wine.   I wonder how it would pair with S’mores?

$16.99/bottle @ http://cawinemerchants.com/

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