Gundlach Bundschu is an oldie but goodie, having been one of the earliest wineries to open in California in the late 1800s. The beauty of this property is the location, near the village of Sonoma, in an area that is consistently much cooler than the nearby Napa Valley. That’s exactly what the early-ripening merlot grape likes. The 2010 offers rich black fruits and smooth tannins, with excellent persistence of flavor through a long and satisfying finish. It cries out for a savory rack of lamb.
Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma Valley (California) Merlot 2010
By Robert Whitley