Merlot gets a bad reputation (thanks, Sideways!) and I’ve heard plenty of people turn down the merlot in tasting rooms.    But don’t pass on the merlot, there are some delicious ones out there! 

The Hamilton Estates Merlot has a great nose, nice and complex.   It smells herbal with spices and berries.   The nose is complex but the wine is definitely lighter bodied…   like cherry juice.   The finish was a bit tart for my liking, lots of acidic fruit and a touch of vanilla.   I get the feeling this merlot would have been better a year ago, for some reason.   I just didn’t get as much tannin/body as I would have liked, but maybe I am just expecting too much!

$8.00/bottle

Single