Five Rivers Merlot 2011
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Enjoy Five Rivers Merlot with a wide range of meats, cheeses and hearty dishes.
Five rivers, a cool climate, long growing seasons and the Central Coast wine region culminate in ideal growing conditions for Five Rivers Winery. From these grapes come four exceptional wines ready for you to savor, to share and to toast the simple joys of life. Our winemaking approach begins with expressing the bright fruit qualities of each varietal and showcasing the distinct character of California. With Five Rivers Restaurant Select, our winemaking team has crafted four elegant varietal wines that are an ideal balance of fresh, fruit-forward aromas, easy-going tannins and acidity, making this collection the perfect choice for any occasion. Join us for the distinctive taste of California’s Central Coast.
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.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.