Full Review

Spangler

Spangler
2021 Merlot, Oregon

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14%
93 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$29

Spangler
2021 Merlot, Oregon

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14%
Garnet color. Aromas and flavors of black cherry and black plum, cocoa nibs, mocha and baking spices, and brett with a velvety, lively, dry medium body and a tingling, intriguing, medium-length finish with nuances of black cherry and black plum, mocha and baking spice, new car leather, and cocoa and herbs with well-integrated, medium tannins and light oak flavor. Everything you want from a ripe and juicy Merlot that also keeps itself in check with crisp acidity and balance; cheers.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: black cherry and black plum, cocoa nibs, mocha and baking spices, and brett
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with nuances of black cherry and black plum, mocha and baking spice, new car leather, and cocoa and herbs
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years Enjoy on its own
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Everything you want from a ripe and juicy Merlot that also keeps itself in check with crisp acidity and balance; cheers.

The Producer

Spangler Vineyards

The Producer
491 Winery Ln
Roseburg, OR 97471
USA
1 541-679-9654

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.