Reviews & Ratings

2011 Dry Creek Vineyard Merlot

Winery: Dry Creek Vineyard

Vintage: 2011

Wine Name/Vineyard:

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, & 1% Petit Verdot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Dry Creek Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $25

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 90 (based on 1 review)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: August 21, 2014

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Merlot from Dry Creek was deemed one of the best value Merlot’s to come out of our big blind tasting. It opens with a mild red currant bouquet with hints of strawberry, earth and oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and smooth. The flavor profile is a mild black cherry soda with a hint of cinnamon and faint plum. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins are well managed. The panel suggested this would be a very good glass pour and a nice match with frutti di mare or a grilled veal chop. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: The 2011 vintage of Merlot is indicative of the cool climate harvest conditions we experienced. At first swirl, the wine is bright and lively with enticing red fruit and spicy aromatics. A subtle bouquet of maraschino cherries, dried flowers and pepper begin to emerge after several minutes in the glass. The palate is full of wonderful high-toned fruits, combining a mixture of red cherry, black cherry and red plum. A spicy undertone of earthy complexity rounds out the mouthfeel with dusty elements that speak to the Dry Creek Valley appellation. The finish is full-bodied with a seamless and lingering aftertaste.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Dry Creek Vineyard 2011 Merlot.