{"title":"February 19: Merlot","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"avignonesi-desiderio-merlot-toscana-igt-italy-2016","title":"Avignonesi \"Desiderio\" Toscana IGT, Italy, 2016","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/y7nbDrn674g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"200\" width=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Stars_of_Italian_Wine_Assets_Featuredin.jpg?v=1647978194\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/y7nbDrn674g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe estate, which bears the name of a noble family from Montepulciano, was taken over in 2009 by the Belgian Virginie Saverys. In a decade, under her leadership, Avignonesi has become the largest regenerative wine estate in Italy. Out of respect for workers, consumers and the environment, Virginie Saverys has banned highly toxic synthetic biocides - alas too widespread in the wine world - which poison populations, soils, air and water. Concurrently, the cellar has forbidden the use of yeasts, dyes, enzymes, tannins and other industrial biochemical adjuvants. Finally, Avignonesi is vigorously pursuing an energy transition policy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions drastically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced that there are no great wines without good grapes, Virginie focused her efforts on rehabilitating viticulture while giving the cellar a more supervisory role than interventionist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond giving back his rights to nature, Avignonesi also fosters the authenticity of its products. Virginie Saverys and her team have developed a modern style of wine refreshing, fruit-driven where elegance prevails. In short, wines that are a pleasure to drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Avignonesi owns about 444 acres of vineyards fully certified organic and biodynamic. All wines are vegan and are made exclusively with grapes cultivated on the estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic and Biodynamic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/7utvVHgfQoE\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video about this wine!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wKxGy8vy1Uc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eVirginie Saverys\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 92% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTuscany, Italy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElegant and intense the 2016 Desiderio has a strong connection between the nose and on the palate experience. As per the yin and the yang represented on the bull, this vintage benefited from the varied climate conditions that allowed for grapes to reach a perfect maturity. On the nose notes of mint, coffee powder, cassis and pine forest come across. On the palate elegant tannins give way to a deep velvety long-lasting finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e93 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rich, flavorful merlot with lots of crushed berries, raspberries and lemons. Medium body, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows a cool, mineral undertone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wineRatings_rating\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_rating\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WINEBOW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39961598984234,"sku":"","price":56.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Avignonesi-Desiderio-Merlot-Toscana-IGT-Italy-2016.jpg?v=1762528752"},{"product_id":"chateau-montlandrie-castillon-bordeaux-france-2020","title":"Château Montlandrie, Castillon, Bordeaux, France, 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChâteau Montlandrie is a truly stunning value-driven wine in the satellite appellation of the Côtes de Castillon.  This wonderful producer was the legendary \u003cem\u003evigneron \u003c\/em\u003eDenis Durantou’s first purchase within this far-east reaching appellation of the Right Bank. Denis Durantou was a forward thinking visionary, who produced stunning wines at accessible price points in a region with some of the most exorbitantly priced wines in the entire world.  If one could describe the way Denis Durantou approached his properties, it would be with a tremendous sense of integrity.  Château Montlandrie is no exception, and easily one of the best values within the Right Bank.  Accessible when young, yet perfect with just a few years of bottle age, Château Montlandrie is truly a hidden gem for bargain hunters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Montlandrie has a longer history that dates back to the 1800s when it was founded by an Italian family.  The property remained relatively obscure until the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Century, when Denis Durantou purchased Château Montlandrie in 2009.  The Côtes de Castillon was an exciting region and considered the most promising out of all the satellite appellations in Bordeaux.  It’s no wonder Denis Durantou saw so much potential here.   With its rich soils, high elevation, and gently sloping vineyards, Château Montlandrie was a diamond hidden in the rough. Shortly after the estate was added to the already prestigious list of Durantou properties including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lagunacellar.com\/catalogsearch\/result\/?q=montlandrie\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003eL’Eglise Clinet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lagunacellar.com\/catalogsearch\/result\/?q=saintayme\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003eSaintayme\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lagunacellar.com\/catalogsearch\/result\/?q=les+cruzelles\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003eLes Cruzelles\u003c\/a\u003e to name a few, Denis began implementing his magic touch in the vineyards.  Denis Durantou had a wonderful understanding of the often dismissed varietal, Merlot, and was no stranger to planting it in more mineral driven soils.  He often said, “Merlot can be a rich, heavy wine.  You can treat it with elegance and make a lovely wine.”  This was his approach to working with the varietal, treating it with finesse and respect.  The results of his work speak for themselves, and all his wines featuring Merlot have that light and pretty touch.  At Château Montlandrie, Denis Durantou began using Cabernet Sauvignon in the wine merely four years after acquiring the property, as before it was only Merlot and Cabernet Franc. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDenis Durantou\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCastillon, Bordeaux, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2020 Montlandrie is a wine that encapsulates the essence of Bordeaux. With its captivating aromas, impeccable structure, and rave reviews from critics, this wine is a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of the Montlandrie producer. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this Bordeaux Blend is sure to leave a lasting impression on any discerning wine enthusiast.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery minerally with crushed stone and limestone. Black berries and blueberries. Violets. Full-bodied with tight and firm tannins and lovely length. Tannic and firm. Needs time to soften and come together. But beautiful and solid.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2020 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot was picked between the 18th and the 22nd of September, and the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon were picked from the 23rd to the 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 40% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackberries, fresh, juicy black plums and mulberries, plus hints of bay leaves, cardamom, ground black pepper and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate possesses impressive freshness with a solid backbone of soft, rounded tannins and bags of ripe black fruits, finishing long with a peppery kick.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2020 Montlandrie, the Durantou family's Côtes de Castillon, is fabulous. It is another very serious wine in this range. A core of dark Merlot fruit gradually opens, releasing complicating notes of spice, leather, incense and licorice. There's real depth and gravitas. A few years in the cellar seem prudent, as there is a lot of wine here. The purity of the flavors is just striking. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePulsing with life and energy here, delicious mouthcoating tannins, ripe but super liquorice too, giving a dark tone and savoury element to the palate. Not super-high acidity, enough to give freshness, but this is a little more serious. It's well worked, presented excellently, in balance with focus and precision. Supple fruit, lovely blackcurrant and creamy cherries alongside an iron-rich mineral tang. Well made, interesting - easy to drink with terroir on show. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merchant of Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47368006861105,"sku":null,"price":38.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Chateau-Montlandrie-Castillon-Bordeaux-France-2020.jpg?v=1695667376"},{"product_id":"robert-foley-vineyards-merlot-napa-valley-california-2018","title":"Robert Foley Vineyards, Merlot, Napa Valley, California, 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRobert (Bob) Foley began his wine making career in the Napa Valley in 1977, having just graduated from UC Davis with degrees in both Viticulture and Enology. He spent his first year working for Heitz Cellars, followed by 15 years as the founding winemaker for Markham Vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8\"\u003eIn 1992, Bob began another 15 years as the founding winemaker for Pride Mountain Vineyards. During this period, he also created the highly acclaimed Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma, and School House wines. He now focuses mostly on Robert Foley Vineyards wines, but also creates the offerings from Shelter, Padis Vineyards, Engel Family, Herson Family Vineyards, and JennaMarise in the Napa Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBob’s reputation for producing very expressive wines that finish gracefully continues to develop at his winery facility on Napa County’s Howell Mountain, where more than 1,500 barrels are housed in an extensive cave system (completed in 2008) for the production of Robert Foley wines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font_8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRobert (Bob) Foley\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Merlot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is what a fine Merlot really should be! Aromas of black currant, cassis, and ripe cherry follow through in a sweet lush mid-palate. Dark fruit flavors and velvety tannin balance with bright natural acidity to provide a long finish with a suggestion of chocolaty mocha. Masculinity and spiciness from Howell Mountain marry perfectly with the round femininity of Calistoga fruit to create a perfect textural balance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2018 vintage Napa Valley Merlot draws on the intensity and structure of mountain-grown fruit coupled with the soft richness of lower elevation Merlot to provide a perfect texture. Ripe black fruit flavors coat the entire palate and linger in a long delicious finish. This is a merlot for true Merlot lovers!\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/teW8tSgIeU4?si=c0f7rCFKns6c9gjB\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49985389003057,"sku":null,"price":62.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/RobertFoleyVineyards_Merlot_NapaValley_California_2018.jpg?v=1726336057"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/february-19-merlot.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}