Line 39 Merlot 2019
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The aromas and flavors of Line 39 Merlot mirror each other, offering cherry, ripe plum, and hints of roasted coffee on both the nose and palate. Bright and juicy, this wine is full of sweet fruit characteristics balanced by firm tannins that pair well with a roast turkey or shish kebabs.
Other Vintages
2018-
Wilfred
Wong
Nestled in the rolling hills of California near the 39th parallel, a group of passionate winemakers came together with a mission: to craft exceptional quality wines that delight the senses and protect the environment and communities they serve. This marked the debut of Line 39 wines, a leader in earth-friendly winemaking and proud member of the B Corp community.
From the very beginning, they knew they wanted to create delicious wines that also reflected their commitment to the planet. That's why they make their wine in a certified sustainable winery and source their grapes from certified sustainable vineyards that are committed to protecting the soil, the environment, their employees and communities around them. Healthier soils don't just make amazing wine, they capture the magic of their home. Winemaker, Alyssa Reynolds, creates beautiful wines that are balanced, nuanced, and truly unforgettable. Rich, fruity reds that highlight the best their grapes have to offer and bright, crisp whites that dance across your tongue, delivering refreshment straight to your taste buds.
As a certified B Corporation, they hold themselves to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. They invite you to join them on this journey and to enjoy some delicious wine.
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.