Cannonball Merlot 2017
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Medium ruby in color showing a bouquet of cherry and black tea accented by subtle sweet vanilla French oak and a fetching blueberry compote note. The palate is generous and soft on approach, leading with supple cherry fruit and transitioning to richer boysenberry flavors on the mid-palate where the medium-firm tannins, caramel, and notes of clove and black pepper come into play. The vintage’s fresh acidity lends structure to this silky expression of Merlot leaving a lingering, savory finish.
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A huge value, this wine proves Merlot is back: It’s equal
parts smooth, rich, and juicy, with a luscious, ripe, and beautifully balanced palate. Deep and neatly structured with nice hints of sweet berries.
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The Cannonball. It is the perfect symbol of freedom. Legs tucked beneath you, soaring through the air – that uninhibited spirit is the soul of Cannonball wines. The Cannonball icon is a symbol of your inner child. A time when life was carefree and all about having fun. Dive In and Share a Splash!
Founded in 2006 by a dynamic team of wine industry veterans who were determined to rock the wine world. The vision was to make the best California Cabernet under $20. Armed with a belief that wine should be fun, uninhibited and approachable, they set out to share a splash of Cannonball Cabernet in every glass.
By 2010, Cannonball Cabernet had established a solid reputation in the under $20 category and was receiving lots of love from consumers, restaurants, and retailers. They all wanted more, so the line was extended. The first varietal was Chardonnay, followed by Merlot, and then Sauvignon Blanc.
The beloved flavors of Cannonball are sourced from select regions throughout California. The diverse California micro-climates, topography and soils provide the perfect palette to create wines that are complex and highly consistent.
Dedicated to innovation, with a commitment to authenticity, their mission is to spread their passion by offering wines we believe in. We love what we do, and hope it shows in every bottle!
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.