Rodney Strong Merlot Sonoma County 2007

Lucid aromas of chocolate covered cherries and strawberry preserves are balanced by sweet herbal notes and a touch of cedar. The soft and round mouth feel is opulent with flavors of chocolate, roasted almonds and blackberry. A slight essence of licorice remains on the palate through a long and rich finish.

Winemaker Rick Sayer has found a nice balance between fruity, blackberry notes and elements of green olives. In the mouth, this yin-yang creates complexity and interest. Ultrasmooth tannins and soft acidity make it velvety.

Plum and blueberry flavors predominate in this soft, rich, mouth filling merlot, and are enhanced by aging in small oak barrels for a toasty, spicy vanilla character, and a lingering berry-cream finish. Drink this satisfying merlot over the next 2 to 4 years.

Smooth, and sophisticated and fancy tasting with its balance of plummy, blackberry fruit, rich tannins and alcohol. Drinks fully dry, with good acidity.

The kirschwasser scent of cherry runs through this wine, with an undercurrent of tannins somewhere between stalks and earth in flavor. Itrsquo;s a light-bodied merlot to partner with slow-roasted lamb shanks.

A rich, luscious Merlot with lots of black fruit up front interwoven with some toasty oakhellip; a great value in todayrsquo;s market.

A fine, ripe Merlot from a dependable producer, this is totally dry, with polished cassis, coffee, green olive and subtle oak notes. It shows a nice balance of modest alcohol and rich, intricate tannins.