2017 Merlot, Bacchus Vineyard MAGNUM

From Winemaker, John Abbott:

This is not your normal Merlot, but it is typical of our style of Merlot. It is very concentrated and polished. In our humble opinion, Merlot remains one of the most under-appreciated and most versatile varietals in the State. The seamless combination of fruit, balance, and structure that can be achieved in a cool vintage, but also a warm one, makes working with it a pleasure.

Working with some of the best fruit in the state, grown by one of the most responsive and innovative growers, makes our work even easier. We have brought in fruit from Bacchus Vineyard since 1997 and from this particular block since 2004. A long working relationship like this with growers is invaluable. They know exactly what we like.

Once picked, the fruit was carefully sorted to remove any green stem material that would result in green and edgy tannins. It was then fermented and delicately pressed. Aging was in 100 percent tight-grained Bordeaux barrels for 21 months.

This Merlot is a beauty. The nose is loaded with black cherries, spiced red plums, and cassis. It also has the delicate aromas of wild mountain strawberries. The mouth follows through with those red and blue fruit characters with a bit of tar and graphite. It is complex and seamless, with tannins that are refined in a long finish. It will age really well.

The 2017 Bacchus Merlot is no run-of-the-mill Merlot, so the music pairings need to be as diverse. Steve Martin is not only a very funny gentleman, but also a very accomplished banjo player. I recommend Yellow Backed Fly, which he recorded with the Steep Canyon Rangers. Then, Leon Bridges Beyond is a great second choice, and finish with George Benson’s Breezin’. In music, this is what the 2017 Merlot does on my palate!