SOLD OUTGainey 1999 Merlot

The informal instructions given to judges at the Santa Barbara Wine Competition were, “Award a Double Gold Medal only if all judges agree the wine knocks your socks off.” So it was for Gainey Vineyard’s 1999 Merlot—not only was it awarded a Double Gold Medal, but it also earned Best of Show Red Wine.

This fabulous wine was also rated a huge 92-Points by Wine Enthusiast magazine —“treads a complex line between blackberry and plum flavors and minty, herbal notes . . . the balance works to the wine’s advantage . . . tannins are rich and refined.”

Restaurant Wine magazine gave it a resounding thumbs up with a near-perfect 4.5 stars out of 5 — Fine value. This is a rich, lightly oaky, full-bodied Merlot, with berry-like fruitiness and layers of spicy oak character. Long finish.” And if all that weren’t enough, it also earned a Gold Medal at the huge Orange County Fair Wine Competition.