StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
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47 StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ September/October 2015 yet are not overpowering, adding the balance to make this merlot a must- have. ($17) (91) Milbrandt The Estates Merlot 2011 (Washington). You will be greeted by earthy aromas of ripe plum and herbs with fl avors of black cherry and blueberry, leading to a silky fi nish with hints of va- nilla and toast. One of the best of Wash- ington State's mid-priced merlots. ($25) (91) Chateau Laville Bordeaux Superieur 2012 (France). 75% merlot, 25% caber- net franc. After a year in oak, you get a seamless, silky merlot with a nice touch of spice to accompany ripe cherry notes. A classic, elegant style with a touch of an earthy edge providing character and complexity. ($17) (91) Gordon Estate Merlot 2013 (Co- lumbia Valley, WA). Ruby, with garnet hints. The nose is fi lled with concen- trated black fruit, with sweet spice notes. The palate has great weight, with plenty of dark fruit. The fi nish lingers, with good balance. ($25) (91) Pepper Bridge Merlot 2012 (Walla Walla, WA). Substantial yet elegant. This wine possesses concentrated ele- ments of blackberry, black cherry and bitter chocolate, with a touch of to- bacco. ($58) (91) Gordon Brothers Merlot 2012 (Co- lumbia Valley, WA). A wine that show- cases why Columbia Valley merlots are so critically acclaimed: aromas and fl a- vors of plums, cedar, spice and vanilla are effortlessly woven together in the graceful, nuanced fi nish. ($30) (91) Camaraderie Cellars Merlot 2010 (Washington) Full of bold flavors of dark cherries, dark plums, baking spices and vanilla-laden oak. The up- front richness is balanced by a well- structured, crisp finish laced with fi ne-grained tannins. ($25) (91) Monticello Merlot Estate 2013 (Oak Knoll, CA) An elegant Napa Valley merlot that is brimming with nuanced flavors of blackberries, red plums, smoke, dark chocolate and cedar. It im- presses for its expansively rich texture and lengthy fi nish. ($37) (91) Cadence Coda Red Mountain 2013 (Washington). An intensely concen- trated merlot that delivers opulent dark fruit, chocolate, coffee, spice, and cedar. The fl avors blend together on the palate to create a savory, rich pro- fi le that's nearly irresistible. The fi nish is long, with lingering notes of dark plums. ($37) (91) Bogle Merlot 2013 (California). Consistent performer on price and quality. Easy drinking with ripe dark cherry. A "go-to" wine for every-day meals from burgers to pizza to poultry and red meats. ($10) (91) Chateau Picau-Perna, Saint-Emilion, 2012 (Bordeaux). This Right Bank Bor- deaux sings with cherries, blackberries and even coffee beans on the nose. This wine has a lot of plum concentration in the mouth, with soft tannins and good acidity. The fi nish is somewhat com- plex, with more coffee bean fl avors in- tertwined with dried fi gs. ($20) (91) Gainey Vineyards, Merlot 2011 (Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Val- ley, CA). Chocolate and toasted oak on the nose, with enticing scents of cassis, wild cherry and dried herbs. Contains lush black currants and blackberry fl a- vors throughout the mid-palate, fi nish- ing with a velvet touch in your mouth. An undiscovered area for merlot, but very rewarding! ($20) (90) Weingut Dexheimer, Biebelnheimer Rosenberg, Merlot Spatlese, Late Har- vest 2012 (Germany). This unique, late-harvest wine has very aromatic cherry and blackberry jam notes, with light tannins. Serve with spicier foods and dishes, such as lobster bisque, beef, seafood risotto or a teriyaki steak. ($19) (90) Casale Del Giglio 2012 (Lazio, Italy, Masciarelli Wines). This sits 8-12 months in small oak barrels, bring- ing out scents of red berries and black cherry. The herbs, exotic spices, leather and tobacco make for a very complex merlot. The velvety fi nish and cracked pepper are perfect with a bowl of pasta carbonara. ($11) (90) Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot 2012 (Washington). This merlot offers rich, concentrated fl avors of wild berry, blueberry, dark plum and cassis. A jammy style with a round mouthfeel and a delicious supple fi nish that lingers nicely. ($20) (90) Kestrel Merlot 2012 (Yakima, WA) Fragrant and expressive, with aro- mas and fl avors of blueberries, bak- ing spices, pepper and sweet vanilla. It showcases its famous Yakima Valley pedigree in the well-structured, bal- anced fi nish. ($23) (90) Neethlingshof Merlot 2013 (South Africa) A velvety smooth merlot with supple flavors of blueberries, dark plums, kirsch and spice. It's silky- smooth profi le features gentle tannins and a delightfully crisp fi nish. ($18) (90) D'Autrefois Merlot 2013 (France) A surprisingly complex wine with aromas and fl avors of raspberries, cherries, baking spice and fl oral notes. It fi nishes soft, with pleasant tannins and linger- ing notes of plums. ($13) (90) Luc Pirlet Merlot 2014 (France) An intense and surprisingly bold merlot with concentrated blackberries, oak, spice and plums. There is weightiness to the palate that imparts a rich texture to the fl avors. It fi nishes smooth and velvety. ($13) WINE SELECTIONS ★ MERLOT ★★★★(91) Duckhorn Merlot 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). Aromas of black tea, smoke, pomegranate and vanilla bean. A sleek textured wine with fi nely grained tannins on the extended fi nish. ($50)