Cannonball Merlot 2021
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Aromas of fresh huckleberry, pomegranate and nuances of toasty oak. Medium-full bodied with classic Bordeaux proportions, wonderful concentration with juicy flavors of raspberry, ripe plum and baking spices with a long, lingering finish.
Enjoy with red meats, duck, and pasta with rich sauces.
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This is a balanced, drink-me-now Merlot ideal for casual consumption. Find notes of fresh cedar, black cherry, plum and currant, capsicum, rose, violet, chocolate and vanilla
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The Cannonball. It is the perfect symbol of freedom. Legs tucked beneath you, soaring through the air – that uninhibited spirit is the soul of Cannonball wines. The Cannonball icon is a symbol of your inner child. A time when life was carefree and all about having fun. Dive In and Share a Splash!
Founded in 2006 by a dynamic team of wine industry veterans who were determined to rock the wine world. The vision was to make the best California Cabernet under $20. Armed with a belief that wine should be fun, uninhibited and approachable, they set out to share a splash of Cannonball Cabernet in every glass.
By 2010, Cannonball Cabernet had established a solid reputation in the under $20 category and was receiving lots of love from consumers, restaurants, and retailers. They all wanted more, so the line was extended. The first varietal was Chardonnay, followed by Merlot, and then Sauvignon Blanc.
The beloved flavors of Cannonball are sourced from select regions throughout California. The diverse California micro-climates, topography and soils provide the perfect palette to create wines that are complex and highly consistent.
Dedicated to innovation, with a commitment to authenticity, their mission is to spread their passion by offering wines we believe in. We love what we do, and hope it shows in every bottle!
Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek—influenced by European Merlot blends—began crafting single varietal versions. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection—a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.
Fine examples of California Merlot—either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend—can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age.