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2020 Merlot

2020 Merlot

A bold expression of a Bordeaux classic

$35


Retail

$28


Wine Society

About the Wine

The 2020 JUSTIN Merlot shows a serious side of the popular grape variety. In the past, the merlot grape received a reputation as a soft, cushy, easygoing variety, but this wine proves that it can hold its own. Full-bodied with ripe fruit, firm tannins, and a classic Bordeaux-style savory character, this wine is a complex version of merlot that announces to the world that this is a grape variety with serious intentions.

Tasting Notes

Body

LightMediumFull

Appearance

Bright, with a deep ruby core lightening towards the rim, with lightly stained, moderately thick, tears on the glass.

Aroma

Aromatic with black cherry, boysenberry, and plum fruit with vanilla, new leather, wild sage, cocoa, violet flower and toasted oak.

Palate

Near full-bodied, with ripe huckleberry, fresh mission fig, and juicy black cherry on the entry, leading to a full, rounded midpalate with fresh herbs, button mushroom, leather, cocoa nibs, dried violet, and medium fine tannins. The moderately long finish boasts notes of sustained black fruit, vanilla, toasted oak and baking spices, with a lingering note of dark chocolate.

Key Features

  • Appellation

    Paso Robles

  • Fermentation

    Stainless steel open- and closed-top tanks with UV43 yeast and twice-daily pump-overs

  • Maturation

    Barrel-aged for 19 months in 40% new French oak

  • Alcohol

    15.5%

SUGGESTED FOOD PAIRINGS

Pork Chop

The 2020 JUSTIN Merlot is a balanced wine that's equal parts fruit and savory with smoothly textured tannins. It pairs well with leaner meats like charcoal grilled pork chops with a plum glaze or blackened chicken breast with succotash.

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