It seems like every time we see a tasting note on Merlot for the last 5 years or so, the writer feels the need to explain that even despite what the movies say, Merlot is a wonderful grape. So we’ll assume you’ve heard all that before, and focus on the wine: the 2005 Estate Merlot from Arbor Bench Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. While Merlot works in the somewhat cooler regions of Bordeaux in France, in California it seems to do better in warm sites where the fruit can become ripe and lush, without any green flavors. This makes Dry Creek a wonderful place for Merlot, thanks to warm days and plenty of sunshine.
The 2005 Arbor Bench Merlot is ruby garnet in color. The nose offers lovely aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and vanilla, with intriguing notes of coffee, pomegranate, and pipe tobacco. The palate is fruit driven at this age, with raspberry, plum, and blackberry, and just a hint of caramel and pepper. Good acidity keeps things lively and fresh, with smooth tannin rounding out the finish and lingering on the tongue.
Arbor Bench has typically sold their grapes to various producers, but decided to start making some of their own wine to showcase what their vineyard has to offer. This inaugural effort shows that this site is capable of producing elegant, flavorful wines, and best of all, at affordable prices. At under $25, this is one to stock up on and enjoy with a wide range of cuisines; it is so balanced that it will pair well with almost anything, from roasted chicken, to grilled steak. A great value!
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
94 Points
Opulent dark fruited with blackberry and ironstone mineral character, blue fruit notes, and violets with crushed cocoa nibs nuances and a long dark chocolate and mineral-scented finish. Ultra delicious and quite lengthy.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh black currants, kirsch, and mulberries... Full-bodied, the palate delivers a firm line of grainy tannins with bold freshness to frame the muscular black fruit, finishing long and cedary.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
