Many Washington State Merlots are not afraid to have a little bath in oak. It gives Merlot a pleasing to everyone aura. I had a Konstantin Frank Merlot in the Finger Lakes recently and it had a good dose of oak in it. My dining companion, no lover of red wine, enthused about how “approachable” it was.
This Merlot was from the Conner Lee Vineyard and farmed using sustainable practices. Hand harvested and sorted. It was fermented in stainless steel and aged 3 months in new French oak. 1,253 cases were produced.
Is this Blackboard Merlot everyone’s friend or will it evoke a nails scratching over the blackboard response?
Aroma: Black cherry, cherry liqueur, purple plum and a wisp of black licorice. The close to 14% alcohol is noticeable.
Palate: Black fruit with moderate tannins and some alcohol induced heat on the short finish.
Personality: I will admit to oak influences but you’ll see they are not overwhelming but not enough to completely dumb me down nor make me entirely charming to Gramps, Pops and the rest of the family. I am a Merlot making my own way. I feel a bit like the Berlin Wall caught between two countries.
Food Match: Grilled lamb (rare). The wine is built for food.
Book Match: Nikolai Gogol “Tarus Bulba”.
Music Match: “Hey Hey Woman of Mine” Led Zepplin.
Price: $24 CDN (Ontario).
Cellarbility: Drink now or hold no later than 2026-year end.
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 90/100.jamessuckling.com 90.
(Blackboard 2019 Merlot, Matthews Estate, Benton City, Washington, Columbia Valley AVA, 750 mL, 13.9%).
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