Vineyards
Merlot was once again the first
fruit to kick off our 2017 harvest and what a great start to the vintage! From
the beginning of fermentation all the way to final blending, we knew we had
something wonderful. Our final Best Barrels cuvée welcomed 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
and 4% Petit Verdot to complete the ensemble, producing a Merlot of great
intrigue and complexity.
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Merlot is all too often thought
of as secondary to Cabernet Sauvignon, but that is a misconception of the
grape. Indeed, Merlot makes up the backbone of some of the most sought-after
wines in the world. An alluring medium ruby hue, our 2017 Best Barrels
Merlot makes a serious aromatic statement featuring warm blueberry with notes of violets, dusty mocha and hints of vanilla. The
palate follows through with bright plum, delicious blue and blackberries with a gentle sprinkling of cocoa. Delicious already, this Merlot will age beautifully for 15-20 years.
Food Affinities
Merlot will typically pair well
with anything you might enjoy with a good Cab, then happily broaden the
invitation to include roasted fowls, Italian sausage, spaghetti and meatballs
in red sauce and savory beef stews. To enhance the best this high-end Merlot
has to offer, keep sauces less complicated and focus on fresh ingredients like
mushrooms, truffles and fruit accents such as cherries or apricots.
Ageability
This Merlot will please many soon out of the gate. But a
modicum of patience is recommended to enjoy it at its very best. Prime drinking
should begin in 2021, followed by a wonderful evolution in your cellar for
another 15-20 years.
Blue Rock Best Barrels from Kenneth Kahn on Vimeo.
