Most of the Merlot grapes, 86 percent, came from Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley and the remaining 14 percent came from the winery’s estate vineyards in Bennett Valley. The wine has a beautiful dark ruby color with a touch of magenta highlights. Aromas of black cherry, plum and blackberry offer an invitation to get the wine into your mouth to enjoy the wine’s rich black cherry, blackberry fruit layered with dark chocolate. It is silky smooth, finishing with ripe tannins. Serve it with a grilled steak, or even better make the L’Ultime Dark Chocolate Mousse with Lavender Scented Mixed Berries from the recipe on their site at MatanzasCreek.com/blog/lultime-dark-chocolate-mousse-lavender-scented-mixed-berries. Bill and Sandra MacIver established the Matanzas Creek Winery in 1977. Their first winemaker was Merry Edwards and the next winemaker was Dave Ramey. They sold the estate to Jackson Family Wines in 2000.
Matanzas Creek Winery, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Merlot 2018
By Rebecca Murphy