Full Review

Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards
2021 Russell Family Select, Merlot, American

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14% RS: .1%
87 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$30

Arrington Vineyards
2021 Russell Family Select, Merlot, American

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14% RS: .1%
Ruby color. Aromas and flavors of red plum, black cherry, blackberry fruit leather, and vanilla and baking spice with a round, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish that presents notes of figs, mocha, black raspberry candy, and cocoa husks and cedar chips with medium tannins and light oak flavor. A lovely everyday table wine with a bit more richness than your average Merlot.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: red plum, black cherry, blackberry fruit leather, and vanilla and baking spice
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of figs, mocha, black raspberry candy, and cocoa husks and cedar chips
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A lovely everyday table wine with a bit more richness than your average Merlot.

The Producer

Arrington Vineyards

The Producer
6211 Patton Rd
Arrington, TN 37014
USA
1 615-395-0102

Their Portfolio

88 Arrington Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Tennessee 14% (USA) $26.00.
87 Arrington Vineyards 2018 Petite Sirah, American 14.8% (USA) $34.00.
86 Arrington Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tennessee 14.5% (USA) $30.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards 2020 Russell Family Select, Merlot, Tennessee 14% (USA) $30.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards 2021 Kinzley Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Tennessee 13% (USA) $22.00.
87 Arrington Vineyards NV Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County 14% (USA) $25.00.
86 Arrington Vineyards 2021 Riesling, Columbia Valley 12.5% (USA) $22.00.
BR Arrington Vineyards 2021 Stag’s White Blend, American 13% (USA) $24.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Arrington Vineyards 2021 Antebellum Tennessee Whiskey Barrel-Aged White Blend, Tennessee 14.5% (USA) $28.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Arrington Vineyards NV Celebration Blanc Sparkling Wine, Washington 13% (USA) $36.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards NV Celebration Sparkling Rosé , Washington 13% (USA) $36.00.
BR Arrington Vineyards 2021 Sparkle Blanc, Tennessee 13.5% (USA) $45.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Arrington Vineyards 2020 Sparkle The Rosé, Tennessee 13.5% (USA) $45.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards 2020 KB 14*20 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 15% (USA) $58.00.
91 Arrington Vineyards 2021 Russell, Merlot, Walla Walla Valley 14% (USA) $30.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards 2022 Kinzley Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley 13% (USA) $24.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills 14% (USA) $32.00.
86 Arrington Vineyards 2020 Pinot Noir, California 14% (USA) $27.00.
91 Arrington Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, Washington 13% (USA) $27.00.
86 Arrington Vineyards 2023 Kinzley, Sauvignon Blanc, American 13% (USA) $24.00.
87 Arrington Vineyards 2021 Russell Family Select, Merlot, American 14% (USA) $30.00.
86 Arrington Vineyards 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, American 14% (USA) $32.00.
94 Arrington Vineyards 2021 KB 15*21 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 15% (USA) $58.00.
86 Arrington Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay, American 13% (USA) $27.00.
89 Arrington Vineyards 2013 KB 713 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 15% (USA) $150.00.
92 Arrington Vineyards 2014 KB 814 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 15% (USA) $150.00.
88 Arrington Vineyards 2015 KB 915 , Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 15% (USA) $80.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.

Top Rated for
Merlot

Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
96 POINTS
Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.6% $310.00.
USA
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
15% $75.00.
USA
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
95 POINTS
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
14% $24.00.
USA
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
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Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
14.8% $44.00.
USA
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.3% $190.00.
USA
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.5% $55.00.
USA
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
94 POINTS
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
14.5% $42.00.
USA
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.7% $34.00.
USA
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
94 POINTS
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
13.8% $22.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Merlot

Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
14% $18.00.
Australia
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
93 POINTS
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
13.5% $14.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
14% $13.00.
Australia
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
93 POINTS
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
13.5% $16.00.
USA
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
14.5% $10.00.
USA
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
13% $9.00.
USA