2011 Hourglass Merlot

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2011 Hourglass Merlot

$75 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

The heat on merlot following the release of the movie “Sideways,” nearly a decade ago still persists to this day, though most true wine fans have let go of Miles rant about “No effing Merlot!”  Fact is, thoughts beautiful merlots such as the one we’re featuring this month got straight from your palate to your brain, bypassing any lingering stereotypes.

From the winery: “While many wineries produce merlot to masquerade as cabernet sauvignon, we believe the core DNA of merlot from special sites delivers something remarkable that deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with other great varietals, cab included. We are not out to make a “cab lovers merlot.” We are out to set the record straight on merlot itself!  Our 2011 is one more step on our quest to set merlot in its rightful place.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Early ripening varietals such as merlot excelled in the cooler 2011 vintage. A truly exceptional terroir for merlot, the high mineral concentration and low organic carbon (clay) in the chalky, broken-down volcanic ash, cobble and river-washed sand of the merlot blocks helped ward off the intrusion of fog that challenged many parts of the Napa Valley in 2011. The vintage, site and vines produced a merlot with explosive dark sour cherry, toasted vanilla bean and Asian spice aromatics, hints of cedar and tea leaf, and flavors of red plum, blackberry puree, and cocoa powder. The tannins are ripe and silky, lending a rich mouth-coating texture and wonderful drinkability.”

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