A Porsche that Drives You to Drink

By / Magazine / August 23rd, 2010 / 1

Sidelined in Sideways, and picked on like suet at a birdfeeder, California Merlot has been unfairly maligned. In the right hands, Merlot makes a perfectly delicious wine. I tasted an example at Sebastiani Winery in Sonoma, CA, about an hour’s drive from San Francisco.

Their 2007 Alexander Valley Merlot is as nimble and elegant as a Porsche Cayman. It takes off quickly with dark cherry on the nose, slips easily into cherry, anise and a rich spiciness, then takes off into a long and satisfying finish. Of course, like the Porsche, this Merlot has a beautiful structure.

The mix is high octane. Bolstered with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera, this complex Merlot could drive you to drink.

About $30 at the winery. The wine, not the car.

Find out more at MsInk.ca

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brenda McMillan is thrilled by new sights, sounds, aromas and flavours, and old buildings, barrels and friends. She travels at the drop of a corkscrew and is always "just back" from somewhere.

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