Bonair
Merlot
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Friday night Merlot. Yakima valley, 12.5% alcohol - intriguing. Bonair has been making wine out of Rattlesnake Hills since 1985. An AVA of Yakima Valley (which is an AVA of Columbia Valley), since 2006, Rattlesnake Hills is well situated for sun, dryness (<10 inches rainfall per year), and silty-loam soils, that, if grown properly, grapes can be coaxed to produce excellent flavor. This wine was picked up for two reasons: (1) it was on sale, and (2) I need to keep drinking WA/OR wine since I live here now. Paired this with an arugula pesto pasta with a lemon-mascopone dressed salad - not the best pairing, but whatever. ~$12 | #yakimavalley
#merlot #bonair
On the eyes: Deep, inky, concentrated, ruby-magenta, med+ stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Black cherry, blueberry, black tea, hint of graham cracker, and vegetal notes (a bit sour, a bit green). Med- alcohol.
On the tongue: Heavy tannins, med alcohol, med+ acid, med+ body. Tart cherry, pomegranate, cedar, violets, white pepper, even a bit of cut grass. Nice delicate flavors that get destroyed by a big punch of tannin though. Drink with food - not a sipping wine.
Friday night Merlot. Yakima valley, 12.5% alcohol - intriguing. Bonair has been making wine out of Rattlesnake Hills since 1985. An AVA of Yakima Valley (which is an AVA of Columbia Valley), since 2006, Rattlesnake Hills is well situated for sun, dryness (<10 inches rainfall per year), and silty-loam soils, that, if grown properly, grapes can be coaxed to produce excellent flavor. This wine was picked up for two reasons: (1) it was on sale, and (2) I need to keep drinking WA/OR wine since I live here now. Paired this with an arugula pesto pasta with a lemon-mascopone dressed salad - not the best pairing, but whatever. ~$12 | #yakimavalley
#merlot #bonair
On the eyes: Deep, inky, concentrated, ruby-magenta, med+ stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Black cherry, blueberry, black tea, hint of graham cracker, and vegetal notes (a bit sour, a bit green). Med- alcohol.
On the tongue: Heavy tannins, med alcohol, med+ acid, med+ body. Tart cherry, pomegranate, cedar, violets, white pepper, even a bit of cut grass. Nice delicate flavors that get destroyed by a big punch of tannin though. Drink with food - not a sipping wine.
I'm not much for reds but this wasn't too bad.
I'm not much for reds but this wasn't too bad.
Dec 25th, 2015