Quick Sip: 2005 Soléna Wooldridge Creek Merlot - for those that "don't like" Merlot

Soléna Wooldridge Creek Vineyard Merlot (2005)
Soléna Estate
Merlot 96% | Zinfandel 4%
Applegate Valley AVA, OR

The second of four warm weather varietals offered by Soléna. We tasted the Merlot at the tasting room in Carlton with Lynnette.

Appearance: Clear, medium ruby color to clear rim

Nose: Clean, black cherry, medium intensity, warm, dried fruit, raisin/fig, soft oak

Palate: Dry, medium-full tannins, tight but not far from rounding out, medium acidity, medium-full body, long finish, dark fruit, spice, blackberry, oak

I suggested in my title that this wine would be a good choice for someone who doesn't typically like Merlot. Especially after the film Sideways, Merlot has gotten a lot of flack for not being "refined" enough. Personally I think that's poppycock (or your choice of silly British nonsense word), and believe there are types of Merlot out there for everyone. Same way I feel about Chardonnay and those ABC people! Coming from a warmer region of Oregon, and then having the additional 4% of Zinfandel blended in makes this wine seem a lot larger than I would expect of Merlot. It's missing the finesse that I think most Merlot lovers look for in the glass. Not at all to say this is a bad wine, it just is not my favorite of the line-up. I think this would pair very well with a big, bold dish - like steak.

Cheers!

Quick Fact: Did you know that in Oregon producers have to use at least 90% of a grape variety in order to list that name on the bottle. Most other states only require 75%. However, Cabernet Sauvignon in Oregon only has to make up 75% of the blend to allow the name to be used.