2007 Peter Franus Merlot, Napa Valley, California, USA LCBO# 235952 $34.95
Maybe it’s the movie Sideways’ fault. Maybe it’s my own childhood issues, but I don’t drink enough Merlot…and that’s a mistake. Merlot has (for some reason) been an often maligned and misunderstood grape. The truth is Merlot forms the base of some of the greatest wines in the world! (Have you ever heard of a little wine called Château Petrus?) Merlot not only imparts a variety of black fruits to a wine, it also brings a softness and elegance to its body. In homage to my main man Justin Timberlake, Merlot brings the “sexy” to the world of wine.
The 2007 Peter Franus Merlot is a beautiful example of an elegant Merlot from the Napa Valley. This wine has well defined flavours of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, black cherries, baked plum, white pepper, leather and molasses. There is a lot going on in this wine, but it keeps its balance. Its silky tannins are a pleasure and helps hold everything together. I would recommend pairing this wine with lamb chops, roasted chicken or even turkey. As for cheese, you can try it with everything from a mild Swiss cheese to a savoury cheddar.
At $34.95, the 2007 Peter Franus Merlot is a bit on the high side of the value meter, but an excellent wine none the less. If you are looking for a great Merlot to enjoy now or over the next few years you should definitely check this wine out…but that’s just my opinion. Let me know what you think by commenting below.
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