91 Points – California State Fair
The 2007 R. Merlo Estate Vineyard Syrah is a big and richly dark wine that has a refined balance and an elegant nature. Fully ripe blueberries, black cherries, and dried currants are the forward flavors supported by characters of Italian roasted espresso, stoutly porters, and Mediterranean spices. Rich yet balanced, with good acidity, this wine has great presence, with a finish that goes on and on. Perfect with Texas spice rubbed and grilled Porter-House steak, Potato Gnocchi pasta and tossed Mediterranean peasant salad. Try it with dessert of fig and raspberry cobbler a la French vanilla mode. At just $19.99 and free shipping on 5 or more, now is the time stock to up on this perfect summertime red.
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The 2007 season in Hyampom Valley of Trinity County California made well balanced, bright, and refined wines. Spring came in cold and continued to bloom. This coolness facilitated a naturally low yielding season in turn made more concentrated flavored wines than normal. Summer was mild and constantly even in temperature. Consistent with other seasons, 2007 Summer has warm to hot days and very cool nights which preserved the natural acids in the grapes and thus brightened the rich flavors of this vintage. Tannins of this year for the red wines turned out to be smoother than normal and less tannic which balanced out the elegance of our wines. Overall, 2007 was an excellent consistently smooth season which yielded concentrated well balanced wines which enabled us to continue our family legacy of making small lots of honest hand crafted wines that accentuates varietal characters.
Grape Source: Hyampom Valley Ranch, Trinity County, CA
Aging: 14 months in 50% French and 50% American oak (20% new oak)
Acid/pH: .60 / 3.58
Harvest Brix: 25.3
Residual Sugar: 0.2%
Alcohol Content: 14.4%
Bottling Date: September 2009
Production: 1,500 Cases
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.
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.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
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.
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.
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