merlot month

October is Merlot month, which is great because it’s such a good firepit wine as the weather turns colder. Very lush with warming plum, blueberry and baking spices. 

Merlot is the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux where it’s one of the five grapes in their blends, but it’s also the second-most planted wine grape in the United States. Here are a few I tasted through this month:

• Ehlers: a bit on the heavy side with 10% Cab, but delicious fruit nonetheless ($49)
• Avennia: some funk on this Merlot/Cab Franc blend from Columbia Valley, with savory black plum and currants ($60)
• L’Ecole: I always like the wines from this Washington winery, and enjoyed the black plum, cocoa and warm cinnamon in this one ($28)
• La Jota: Another big version, but the great brambly mountain fruit and acidity give it some nice balance. ($85)

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