Gold

SOLD OUTCline 1989 Merlot

Featured in our Gold Wine of the Month Club

: Contra Costa County region
90 Points — Wine & Spirits Magazine
Gold Medal — American Wine Competition

Appellation: Contra Costa County
Grapes: 80% Merlot, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignane
Aged: 17 months
Cases Produced: 369
Enjoy Until: 1999

Wine & Spirits magazine rated this one a '90', finding it an "exceptional" Merlot! "Cherries dominate the nose, with elegant toasty oak and light mint accenting this well made wine. Very soft and inviting on entry, not too tannic. If you like red wine with chocolate, serve with chocolate covered cherries."

The Clines decide to blend with 10% Mourvèdre to add complexity - something that has never been done before. Five percent Carignane is also used. The result is a taste to behold! Merlot means "little blackbird" in Bordeaux dialect. It gets the name from its small size, black color, and the fact that birds love to eat them.

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