Winery:   "Our Alexander Valley Merlot comes from our prized family estate vineyard surrounding our winery.  The red, rocky soils of this site produce a deeply extracted, full bodied wine on par with our richest Cabernets.  Expansive cherry aromas and rich, concentrated flavors of blackberry, plum and red currant affirm the expressive, fruit forward style of our wines.  The finish is pleasingly long with lingering, complex fruit notes and supple tannins.  This is a Merlot you can savor today or enjoy even more fully with patient bottle aging."

Wired For Wine:  Typically Merlots tend to be in the medium-bodied range.  The Alexander Valley Merlot is a little more of a gun show, and so keeps respectable company with hearty meat dishes and full-flavored cheeses.  Our first choice if we're cooking is a grilled filet mignon, sprinkle on the blue cheese while it's hot off the grill, and put it next to some garlic mashed potatoes; you won't be disappointed.  Equally good options are beef, lamb and veal, especially the chops, done on the grill or roasted in the oven.  Mushrooms pair well with this Merlot, and would work with all of these meats.  On the lighter meat side, we would happily drink this Merlot with roast turkey, or duck.  Enjoy!

Size:  750ml
Varietal:  100% Merlot
Alcohol:   14.1%
Vintage:   2004
Region:   Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, California
Production:  1,000 dozen