Attributes:

Freestone

Napa Valley, United States

Merlot

750 ML

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 80

tart

berry, herbal, oak

2001: CGCW Rating: 82

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 83

currant, herbal

1997: WineSpectator Rating: 80

currant, herb flavors

1997: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

bell pepper, cherry, herb flavors, herbal, oregano

ripe, sweet

Food Matches:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.

Attributes:

Delicato

California, United States

Merlot

3 L

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 75

awkward

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

herbs

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83

clean

cherry, oak

smooth

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86

soft

cherries, spicy

sweet

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 86

tasty

blackberry, jammy, plum, toast, vanilla

ripe

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 86

fresh

rich

black cherry, cedar, chocolate, herb flavors, spicy, toasty oak

1998: WineEnthusiast Rating: 83

clean, soft

simple, supple

cherry, cola, plummy

1998: Tastings Rating: 86

crisp

medium body

sweet

Food Matches:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Attributes:

Chateau St. Martin de la Garrigue

Coteaux du Languedoc, France

Dry Red Table Wine

750 ML

2001: Tanzer Rating: 86

fresh, soft

straightforward

berries, black cherry, meat, pepper, raspberry

juicy, sweet

2000: Tanzer Rating: 85

rustic

bitter, cherry, leather, meaty, raspberry, tobacco

juicy

1999: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

lively

medium-bodied

rustic

cherries, cherry, plummy, raspberries, red fruits

juicy

1998: Tanzer Rating: 85

bright

lean

bitter, cassis, chocolate, flowers, herbs, spices

1995: WineAdvocate Rating: 85

medium-bodied

Food Matches:

The area was once known as "Septimanie", it includes some of France's best land and vineyards for growing. The region resembles a giant south facing amphitheater encompassing 19,000 acres of vineyard dedication. The Coteaux de Languedoc appellation has a number of sub appellations within it. Grenache, Syrah, and Mourverde are the principle red grapes of the region while Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc are the principle whites. Other white varieties of the region include Rousanne, Rolle, and Viogner. The wines of the region vary depending on the sub appellation and the vineyard. They can range from high altitude sites with low yield producing high powered wines, to sites with a Mediterranean climate where the grapes will grow much bigger.