Merlo Family
NV Red Blend
, Blackbird
Estate Vineyard
Savory aromas and a deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry with notes of cedar and spice and a rich complex finish with just a hint of chocolate. The base of this blend is Syrah, blended with Zinfandel resulting in big flavor, and making it a total crowd-pleaser. Outstanding price for quality! Have a box ready for your next gathering.
A bold wine like this can hold up to richly flavored foods like stews and cassoulet or at casual gatherings with BBQ ribs, pizza, or burgers on the grill with family and friends.
Winemaking
Fermentation was conducted in a single open-top fermenter using only native yeast and no adjuncts. Aged for 14 months in French and American oak the wine was then bottled with a lighter filtration pad.
Varietals: 50% Syrah / 50% Zinfandel
Winemaker: David Georges. Ray Merlo
Aging: French/American Oak, 14 months
pH: 3.69
TA: 5.9 g/L
Alcohol Content: 14.2%
Tasting Notes 
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Nestled in far Northern California’s Hyampom Valley, far away from the tourists in Napa Valley, Merlo Family Estate is quietly making some of the most unique wines in California. The climate of the valley allows them to produce deeply flavored red wines that are beautifully balanced, and also very well priced given the difficulty of farming this land.
This wholly unique setting helps create wines that speak to the power and beauty that is Hyampom Valley. Influenced by the idyllic growing season and climate of this small pocket valley, the fruit produced in the Merlo Family Vineyards expresses a strong sense of place. Based on the concept that quality wine is grown in the vineyard, a minimalist approach is taken in the cellar, allowing the wines to clearly reflect the varietal character and distinct terroir of Hyampom Valley.
Merlo Estate Vineyards produces a rare collection of richly flavored and expressive wines. Unlike many California wines, these deep, complex wines are not high in alcohol, nor overripe in flavors. Rather, the wines are naturally big and bold, yet refined and beautiful.
Learn more at www.merlovineyards.com.
