Leese - Fitch

2008 California Merlot

Notes

With dark garnet color, this blend shows aromas of strawberry, milk chocolate fondue, grilled apricots, and cinnamon spiked toffee. In the mouth, this blend is a waterfall of strawberry shortcake, summer plums, orange peel, and Maraschino cherries with a hint of clove spice and delicate tannins. The soft, fresh fruit flavors ride all the way to the finish with nuances of rich French oak, vanilla, caramel, and cappuccino.

Most of this blend was assembled from a vineyard in Northeast Monterey County. This fruit was allowed to hang until mid-November to allow for maximum ripening. This vineyard is notorious for producing tannic Merlot, with the additional hang time the tannins were softened the fruit component was heightened. The blend was made more complex by blending ripe, jammy Lodi Syrah, with a touch of spicy Paso Robles Zinfandel. The Zinfandel fit into this blend seamlessly and complements the Merlot. The overall blend creates a Merlot that has great flavors to appeal to all sorts of Merlot fans.

Pairings

This Merlot blend would pair wonderfully with a Quattro Formaggio pizza with a drizzle of olive oil, grilled chicken with a mango chutney and jasmine rice, or a grilled burger topped with roasted red pepper and Sonoma Jack cheese alongside sweet potato fries.