Vampire Merlot 750ml Wines Halloween Special www.Wineglobe.com

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Vampire Merlot 750ml
Paso Robels, California

About Professional Ratings

These wine ratings are based on a 100-point quality scale, and are selected by each publication's unique criteria. Some wine ratings are expressed as ranges. When this occurs we will list the highest score in the range and note the full range within the tasting note.

While ratings may influence your decision, the ultimate judgment is your palate.

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Product Notes:
Vampire Merlot was harvested from cool-climate, coastal vineyards at the southern end of the Central Coast’s Paso Robles viticultural district. At this site, sunny summer days are tempered by daily afternoon fog rolling in off the nearby Morro Bay and Pacific Ocean.

Picked at peak ripeness, our Merlot is fermented on the skins for two weeks, with three-times-daily pumpovers, the traditional method of extraction which brings rich color and supple tannins to the new wine. Aged with a combination of both French and American oak, our Merlot develops graceful fruit flavors in the cellar, complemented by subtle shadings of vanilla and toast from the oak.

At the completion of the aging process, this Merlot was carefully blended with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon for added depth and structure, as well as 8% Zinfandel, which adds a spicy note on the palate. Approachable now, Vampire Merlot is perfectly balanced for additional bottle aging. An intense dark plum bouquet typical of a very young wine is just starting to open up and reveal the full, true character of this wine. The wine's lively, dark purple color will destroy your carpet so be careful! Already the soft fruit flavors are starting to integrate well with the powerful structure of this wine, which marries soft tannins with vanilla hints of fine American oak. Made in the modern reductive style, this wine is perfect to enjoy now but has the structure to age for many years. A big wine, Vampire Merlot can take on the biggest char-grilled steaks and barbequed pork cutlets that you can throw at it, but it also has the fine elegance of this classic variety, allowing it to be served at parties with buffet foods and dips.

Food Pairing:
Merlot is a very versatile food wine. It pairs well with most meats including more hearty seafood such as tuna. Merlot also enhances flavors in mushroom dishes, pasta dishes, stews and pizza. As for sweets, merlot wines work very well with tart fruit such as berries and cherries.

About Varietal:
Merlot is a traditional Bordeaux wine varietal. It is traditionally blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to soften up the tannins, and provide a more drinkable wine in its youth. Common flavors in Merlot are blackberry, black cherry, plum, currant, clove, mint, cedar, and violet. This wine has become very popular due to its complexity and drinkability at a young age.

Recipe:
CABERNET-BRAISED SHORT RIBS
Prep time: 20 minutes / Cook time: 3 hours
Ingredients:
3 to 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs (4 large short ribs)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound small parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1 medium onion, peeled and cubed
1 garlic bulb, peeled and sectioned
1 tablespoon flour
1 (750 ml.) bottle Mario Perelli-Minetti California Cabernet Sauvignon
1 (14 + -oz.) can reduced sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Directions:
Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Working in batches in a large pot, cook in oil on medium-high heat until well browned. Remove from pot and set aside. Add parsnips, carrots, onion and garlic; cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute more. Add wine, broth and Dijon to pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Return short ribs to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer over low heat, covered but with the lid cracked, for 2 hours. Remove cover and simmer over medium-high heat for 30 minutes. Season to taste with thyme, salt and pepper. Serve over soft polenta or mashed potatoes. Makes 4 servings. *May substitute turkey sausage.
Pairing Suggestion: The main cue in food and wine pairing is the type of sauce or spice used on each dish, so pair these hearty short ribs with the same Cabernet Sauvignon used in the sauce.

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