The Wine Gift Shop

Red Wine by Alexander Valley from Sonoma County, California. Varietals: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon The color of the 2004 Wetzel Family Estate Merlot is dark ruby red. Aromas of blackberry and cassis fill the glass with nuances of vanilla and cedar. On the palate this wine is deeply flavored with a hefty core of fruit. Black and red fruits appear initially, followed by an integrated acid balance and velvety tannins. Great depth and length provides a cellar life of 10-12 years.

Red Wine by Beaulieu - BV from California. Dark ruby color. Fully ripe plummy aromas with hints of dark chocolate, subtle herbs and black cherry herald similarly intense fruit flavors. Medium-full bodied, with a velvety texture and ripe, lush fruit balanced by subtle acidity and mild tannins. This Coastal Merlot is juicy and deep. Food ideas: Try with richer pasta dishes, pizza, grilled chicken and hard cheeses like Dry Jack.

Red Wine by Beaulieu - BV from Napa Valley, California. The 2004 Napa Valley Merlot was produced from grapes sourced throughout the heart of the Napa Valley, where Beaulieu Vineyard has grown grapes and made wine for more than 100 years. They have combined the rich flavors of Rutherford grapes with fruit from cooler microclimates and soils that are best suited to growing Merlot grapes. Blending fruit from different vineyards resulted in excellent structure and varietal character in the finished wine. This Merlot reveals a rich bouquet of ripe cherries, plums and clove, with a touch of toast and vanilla from the oak. On the palate, lush flavors of ripe red fruit and a hint of cocoa are beautifully framed by soft tannins. A nice acidity complements the lingering fruit on the finish. This wine pairs well with marinated grilled pork tenderloin, roast duck with cherry sauce or semi-hard cheeses like Fontina d'Aosta.

Red Wine by Benziger from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot Benziger Merlot is marked by aromas of bright cherry, red fruit and black plum with notes of vanillin spice which are confirmed on the palate with flavors of blackberry, chocolate and dried herb. Brimming with bright, well-developed fruit, the wine shows a rich, full-bodied middle mouthfeel, fine grained, well-integrated tannins and a long, spice and cream finish.

Red Wine by Beringer from Napa Valley, California. Bancroft Ranch Merlot has a quality I can only describe as all-around richness. Unlike some Merlots I've tasted, the wine from Bancroft has no hole in the middle. It delivers a consistent message from the first waft of its characteristic aromas through its long finish. I think this richness comes mostly from the concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors but also partly from a kind of earthy quality typical of the vineyard. Underlying these flavors are more subtle notes of anise, tobacco and leather. Ive found that these flavors become more pronounced as the wine ages and evolves, which makes me eager to monitor this vintage well into the next century. -Ed Sbragia, Winemaster Aromas of currant, chocolate, coffee and truffle. Lush, sweet and deep for the vintage, with chocolate and smoke flavors dominating. -International Wine Cellar

Red Wine by Beringer from Napa Valley, California. We've been making a vineyard-designated Bancroft Ranch Merlot since the 1987 vintage when I began to see what Merlot could really offer when planted in the right place. Bancroft Ranch is a very special vineyard that produces grapes with amazing concentration of flavors, tannins and structure. The 2003 Howell Mountain Merlot bursts with cola berry, plum, cocoa and kirsch-like cherry aromas that lead into a rich ripe black fruit flavors with hints of cedar and roasted coffee beans. It's got a bright acidity that is balanced by richness, ripe tannins and a very satisfying finish. -Ed Sbragia, Winemaster

Red Wine by Beringer from Sonoma County, California. Black cherry, blueberry and cocoa mint aromas blend with fruit forward flavors of black cherry and plum on the palate creating a Merlot that I find very satisfying from the moment I pick up the glass. Hints of cocoa, brown spice, toffee and vanilla bean mingle with the concentrated berry flavors and ripe tannins that extend throughout the long finish. - Winemaker Laurie Hook

Red Wine by Bonterra from North Coast, California. The blend for the 2005 vintage layers Merlot with Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with a touch of Grenache, bringing complexity and a slight herbaceous note to the wine. The heritage of Bordeaux is evident here. Aromas of cranberry, chocolate and cola spice add to the somewhat old world style. Evident tannins will soften with age. The Merlot is dry, with good fruit featuring blackberry, cherry and touches of herbs, with notes of cedar.

Red Wine by Cakebread from Napa Valley, California. Cakebread Cellars sources the fruit for its Napa Valley Merlot from owned vineyards and those of other growers in the Rutherford and Oak Knoll areas of the Valley and from selected microclimates in the Carneros appellation. Their objective with this wine is to create a harmonious balance between red fruit characteristics, or flavors and aromas of raspberries, red cherries and plums; and black fruit characteristics, suggestive of cassis, dark chocolate and black cherries. Blending fruit from these three areas is key to achieving this result. Up to 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure to the blend and enhances the black fruit component of the wine. Cakebread Cellars Merlot is dark garnet in color, reflecting its rich fruit character. Subtle aromas of blackberries, black tea leaves, dried herbs and vanillin are followed on the palate by fresh plum and cherry flavors offset by notes of black pepper and cassis, carrying into a touch of French oak on the finish.

Red Wine by Camelot from Central Coast, California. Appealing cherry aromas carry onto the palate with deep plum richness and a subtle herbal distinction. Well balanced throughout, this wine has soft, round tannins without angular distraction. Delicate vanilla oak accents are apparent in a rich and complex finish.

Red Wine by Canyon Road from California. Grapes for this wine are sourced from many regions within California including the North and Central Coast appellations. This grape sourcing affords the winemaker the ability to choose only the best quality grapes. Traditional fermentation techniques used in conjunction with barrel aging yield a wine of great distinction. Plum and black cherry aromas are at the center of a rich bouquet that is complemented by slight oak and vanilla tones. The palate is soft, approachable and fruity, making this wine a great choice for all occasions.

Red Wine by Castle Rock from Napa Valley, California. Castle Rock Merlot is produced from grapes grown in the prestigious Napa Valley, where the climate and soil conditions provide an ideal environment for the cultivation of this popular varietal. This elegant wine has a deep ruby color and velvety textures. The complex flavors of blackberries, cocoa, spice, with wood notes of sweet French oak along with hints of cedar, unite to form a long, smooth, harmonious finish. In any season, Castle Rock Merlot will complement most cuisines. It is an especially pleasing accompaniment to pastas, grilled and roasted meats, as well as an assortment of cheeses.

Red Wine by Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. Aromas of sweet black cherry, black plum and toasted almonds burst from the glass of this Merlot. These bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and clove. A rich and full mid-palate, with polished tannins, leads to a lush finish with cassis on the close. - Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker

Red Wine by Chateau Souverain from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon Deep ruby in color, this concentrated Alexander Valley Merlot offers classic aromas of ripe black plum, blueberry and currant. The core of vibrant fruit balances nicely with the soft, round tannins creating a lush and juicy mouthfeel. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, which come from aging in oak barrels, meld nicely with the rich fruit and lead to a long, velvety finish. Intense aromas of plum, leather and oak. Rich, creamy flavors of black cherry and blackberry. Chewy tannins and impressions of black cherry and mocha in the lingering close. -Wine News

Red Wine by Clos du Bois from Sonoma County, California. The fruit for Clos du Bois Classic Sonoma County Merlot comes from vineyards in Sonoma County's Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Extended maceration enhances color, flavor and mouthfeel, and aging for 18 months in 60-gallon oak barrels adds softness and a subtle vanillin component. Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon add structure and complexity, which enlivens the subtle texture and plum-like fruitiness that is the hallmark of fine Merlot. Merlot is food's best friend and a fantastic party choice. This wine pairs well with roasted leg of lamb or tomato-based pasta dishes.

Red Wine by Clos Du Val from Napa Valley, California. 96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon The 2004 Merlot has a deep purple center with a garnet-tinged hue along the perimeter. Aromas of concentrated spice, black fruit, dried herbs and a touch of toast fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is rich and intense, displaying flavors of black fruit and herbs. This is a full bodied, complex Merlot, yet it is approachable, with soft, silky tannins and a lovely, lingering finish. The 2004 Merlot is an excellent example of Clos Du Val's classic style.

Red Wine by Concannon from Central Coast, California. The 2005 Concannon Selected Vineyards Merlot is medium bodied with a lovely bright red/magenta hue. Dark cherry, cassis, and raspberry fruit flavors combine with spicy, smoky, toasty oak on the nose and follow through on the palate. Dark chocolate integrates well with these Merlot flavors, giving this wine good length and lively tannins on the finish. Enjoy with beef pot roast, filet mignon, braised leg of lamb, prosciutto wrapped shrimp, or other favorite red meat or veal dishes.

Red Wine by Dog House from California. Blend: 76% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc Eager to please with a friendly nose of sweet black cherries, anise and the perfume of iris blossoms. Boysenberry and pomegranate flavors dominate, with toasty and earthy notes fleshing out into a creamy mid-palate. The lingering, chalky finish is complemented by very fine and elegant tannins. Food pairings: This wine begs for spaghetti, pizza, lasagna and sharp cheeses with a little bite.

Red Wine by Echelon from Central Coast, California. A lovely garnet in color, the wine exhibits aromas of cherry liquor, mint and toasted oak. At this young age, the wine shows flavors of dark cherries and cocoa, with a slight oakiness. Enjoyable upon release, this Merlot will gain complexity with two or three years of cellar aging. It is delicious with pork loin, wild game and rich pastas.

Red Wine by Esser Vineyards from California. 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah The blended wine shows plenty of ripe cherry and plum fruit in its aromas, backed by a combination of mocha, black tea and licorice tones. Full and round on the palate, its ripeness give the wine a profile of baked black fruits, along with suggestions of black tea and cocoa.

Red Wine by Ferrari Carano from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 90% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon Select lots of grapes were chosen from Ferrari Carano's vineyards in Sonoma County to create this beautifully balanced and full-bodied 2005 Merlot. A multidimensional, velvety wine with a dark ruby color and complex nose of ripe cherry, blackberry jam, cinnamon and caramel, this year's Merlot is accented by intricately woven flavors of wild berries and chocolate-covered strawberries with mocha lingering on the silky finish.