Easton Merlot

[Innkeeper]

1999 Easton, Shenandoah Valley (CA), Merlot ($20). Alcohol level 14.5%. It must be something about the Valley that matures grapes like Merlot at a very slow, deliberate pace that makes the wine actually tastes great. Gives you the sense of a Pomerol at 4K feet! Very rich, almost too rich for fillet steak, and filled with black cherries and other black fruit, spices and chewy tannin. Splendid finish. Actually went well with a very chocolate dessert. One of the best New World Merlots you can find.