2019 Cannonball Merlot

Cannonball California wines are sourced from select regions throughout California. The diverse microclimates, topography and soils provide the perfect palette to create wines that are complex, highly consistent and a pure expression of the varietal. The philosophy of the owners Dennis Hill and Yoav Gilat is completely in line with the name of their company and the image on the label. That refers to the inner child in all of us. In the eyes of Dennis and Yoav, wine is sometimes taken so seriously that we forget what it is all about: enjoyment. They take their wines very seriously. Dennis Hill is a winemaker with a long track record, making true American wines without becoming too heavy, too buttery and too woody.

The Cannonball Merlot is in Wine Enthusiast's list of 13 TOP MERLOTS from AROUND the WORLD! (9-3-2022). In the glass, the Cannonball Merlot is medium ruby in color with a bouquet of cherries and black tea accentuated by subtle sweet vanilla French oak and a catchy note of blueberry compote. The palate is generous and mellow on approach, leading with smooth cherry fruit and moving on to richer boysenberry flavors in the mid-palate where medium firm tannins, caramel and notes of clove and black pepper come into play. The fresh acidity of the vintage gives structure to this silky expression of Merlot and leaves a lingering, savory finish. This is a Merlot with good freshness and above all no overripeness.

We find that Merlot expresses its most appealing varietal character when grown in regions with warm afternoon temperatures offset by cool nights and mornings. California's Mendocino County has a rugged coastline and highlands that provide a generous array of soils and exposures to cultivate Merlot. The structure of this wine is made up of the Mendocino components, while the luscious, full body is due to our fruit coming a little further inland, almost directly east in Clarksburg in Yolo County. Clarksburg has young clay soils, warm afternoons and cool delta breezes that ripen berries to decadent richness.

Delicious with red meat, duck and pasta with rich sauces.