Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Reserve Merlot 2015, La Prenda Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, California

Tasting Note: If there was more merlot like this, I could fall in love with merlot.

Medium-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an, aromatic, pronounced-intensity nose of black plum, tea leaves, raspberry, forest floor, dried violet petal with hints of cedar.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied merlot delivers, medium-plus-intensity, black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and soft, ripe, medium tannin.

The wine is medium in acidity with a silky texture, midpalate complexity and balance between the fruit and tannin structure.

Though young, the wine benefits from development and fruit restraint.

A new world merlot, the way it should be done.

Bottle Note: Sunce is a family winery in the Russian River appellation of Sonoma County – specializing in small artisan lots of vineyard designated varietal wine and classic blends. This 100% merlot from La Prenda’s historic Sonoma Valley vineyard entices the senses with subtle eucalyptus, plummy aromas, and flavors of dark dusty blackberry fruit laced with subtle herbs and truffles, and drenched in black tea. It finishes long and soft, creamy and dry. We enjoy it with grilled steak, beef stroganoff, beef bourguignon, or by itself. Frane Franicevic, Winemaker.