Rancho Sisquoc Merlot 2018
-
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Merlot received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and 90 points and Gold at the 2021 Orange County Wine Competition. Deep ruby color with a nose of red dried fruit and herbs is folloed by soft red fruit on the palate with lightly toasted oak and a subtle, clean finish. Aged 20 months in French oak. 100% Merlot.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Dried leather, baked blackberry, wet clay and hints of dried flowers show on the nose of this bottling. There's a fresh zing of acidity on the sip, where tart flavors of black plum, elderberry and lavender are framed by chalky tannins across a food-friendly, lightly-bodied mouthfeel.
Other Vintages
2015-
Wong
Wilfred
-
Enthusiast
Wine
At Rancho Sisquoc Winery we believe in crafting quality wines in small quantities. As one of the first wineries in the Santa Barbara County wine region, we have been around long enough to know that great wine is born from great vineyards. Here on the ranch we have over 300 acres of superb vineyards for our award winning estate wines. Located in northern Santa Barbara County on the Sisquoc River 14 miles east of Santa Maria, Rancho Sisquoc is part of an 1852 Spanish land grant. The Chumash Indians called this area "Sisquoc", which meant "gathering place". Today Rancho Sisquoc is again a gathering place, this time for wine lovers.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.