Alexander Valley Vineyards
Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot
Merlot from the Wetzel Family Estate has a reputation for being a big, complex wine. First produced in 1984, this has been a classically structured wine each year, often showing as much tannin as many Cabernet Sauvignons.
Features
Varieties*
Merlot:97%
Malbec:2%
Cab Sauv:1%
Tech Info
Alcohol :14% Vol*
Total Acidity :5.8 g/l*
Residual Sugar:0.40g/l*
*Technical Data
May Vary With Vintage
Availability
Size(s):750ml 0 85798 08862 1
Pack(s):750ml 12pk
Soil and Origin
Soil:
Origin:Estate vineyards, Alexander Valley, California
Tasting Notes
Bouquet:Spicy aromas of black cherry, plum, boysenberry, cassis, vanilla and oak in the glass.
Taste:Powerful, full bodied wine with rich flavors of black cherry, plum, cassis and slight chocolate. Well-structured with a long finish.
Food Pairing:Classic pairings include lamb chops, duck, prime rib and filet.
Winemaking
Winemaker Kevin Hall has found that fermenting Merlot at a slightly lower temperature than some of our other Bordeaux varieties maintains the lush flavors and structure. After fermentation, the wine was cave aged for 17 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. The 2022 includes a touch of Malbec accentuating our Merlot’s dark berry flavors, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon for additional complexity and layers of flavor.