10 East Coast Merlots To Enjoy

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1. Rockbridge Vineyard

rock

30 Hillview Ln, Raphine, Virginia 24472
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: virginiawinefamily.com

Hints of plum and brown spice on the nose compliment the blackberry and blueberry finish on the palate. Its well-balanced, soft tannins make this wine a perfect accompaniment to a variety of foods, such as grilled meats or hearty vegetable dishes. Long finish with black cherry notes, soft tannins.

2. Casanel Vineyards

casanel

17956 Canby Rd, Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: http://www.likeamericanhoney.com/

Casanel has great names for their Merlot reserves. Names like the 2007 Chegada, 2008 Batacuda and 2009 Mas Que Nada. Each has its own flavor and characterics.

3. Chateau Morrisette Winery

chat

287 Winery Rd SW, Floyd, Virginia 24091
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: Chateau Morrisette Winery

This medium-bodied red wine has smoky aromas of cherry and strawberry. Tart cherry and cranberry flavors merge with a subtle herb and spice character on the palate, leading to a long finish featuring dusty tannins and lingering notes of raspberry and black tea.

4. Duck Walk Vineyards

duck

44535 Route 25 Southold, NY/ 231 Montauk Highway, Watermill, NY, Southold, New York 11971
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: www.amazon.com

Their Blue Duck Merlot has a very rich bouquet of dark berries, dried cherries and cassis. Considerable oak aging results in notes of cedar and toasted oak up with a smooth rich finish. It is excellent paired with red meat, pastas and firm mild cheeses.

5. Sunset Hills Vineyards

sunset

38295 Fremont Overlook Ln, Purcellville, Virginia 20132
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: Sunset Hills Vineyards

With the 2012 season we return to a nice lush, jammy style of Merlot, although with better mid-palate structure and refinement than their 2010. The “X Block” fruit used for the base of this blend was quick to ripen, and picked quite early relative to our standard Merlot blocks. From day 1, though, the juice was dark, well-structured, and interesting, and they were fortunate that those three qualities followed through into the finished wine. A bit of Petit Verdot and Cab Sauv here for firmness and textural elegance.

6. Marterella Winery

mart

8278 Falcon Glen Rd, Warrenton, Virginia 20186
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: www.cellartracker.com

This Estate grown merlot has notes of vanilla bean and spices. They age their merlot in French Oak for 12 months.

7. RayLen Vineyards

RayLen

3577 Us Highway 158, Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: RayLen Vineyards

French oak aging concentrates the flavors and softens the tannins on this traditional-style Merlot. This Merlot is a deep, smoky wine supple with ripe black cherry and toasty vanilla aromas. As the wine lingers on the palate, layers of blueberry and cassis follow with mature tannins. Pairs well with roast beef and people who have never seen Sideways.

8. North Gate Vineyard

Merlot-2010

16031 Hillsboro Rd, Purcellville, Virginia 20132
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: North Gate Vineyard

The 2011 vintage year produced medium bodied reds with plenty of bright fruit character. This Merlot is showing aromas of dark cherries, sweet vanilla, a touch of tobacco and pleasing oak tannins on the finish. There’s more fruit on the palate in this soft, supple, easy going red. Try with grilled pork tenderloin with cranberries, or smoked gouda.

9. Virginia Mountain Vineyards

virginia

4204 Old Fincastle Rd, Fincastle, Virginia 24090
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: www.wine-searcher.com

A popular, dry red wine that is rich in flavor and smooth to the palate due to its mellow tannins. Aged in American oak barrels. Pair with beef, rich red pasta, or chocolate.

10. Creek’s Edge Winery

creek

41255 Annas Ln, Taylorstown, Virginia 20180
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Photo: Creek’s Edge Winery

This medium bodied, Bordeaux-style, layered red will go with any occasion where laughter is heard.

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