Attributes:

Nelms Road

Columbia Valley, United States

Merlot

750 ML

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 87

crisp

supple

2004: WineAndSpirits Rating: 90

simple

delicious

cherries, chocolate, spicy

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 87

lean

berry, peppery, smoky

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 86

bright, crisp, lively

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 88

clean

red berry

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 85

bright

cherry, citrus, herbal

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

juicy

1998: Tastings Rating: 86

medium body

Food Matches:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the largest in the state of Washington. It includes the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Walla Walla, and Horse Heaven Hill AVAs within its boundaries.

Attributes:

Georges Duboeuf

Fleurie, France

Gamay

750 ML

2006: WineAndSpirits Rating: 89

clean, fresh

floral

2006: WineSpectator Rating: 86

cassis, fig, plum, sandalwood, tobacco

round

2005: WineAdvocate Rating: 91

medium to full-bodied

cherries, dark berries, roses, spices

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 90

racy

mineral, raspberry, red currant, toast

fleshy

2005: Tanzer Rating: 88

crisp, tangy, zesty

berry aromas

silky

2005: WineAndSpirits Rating: 89

apricot, berries, orange, pepper, red berry, redcurrant, strawberry

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 86

crisp

black cherry, mineral, toast

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 91

cherry, fig, game

Food Matches:

Although this grape is fairly tannic, it makes grapey wines with low tannin, especially in the Beaujolais district of France.

Attributes:

Merryvale Vineyards

Napa Valley, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

2006: WineSpectator Rating: 85

tart

mouthwatering

2006: CGCW Rating: 82

medicinal

juicy

2006: Tastings Rating: 85

bright, crisp, zesty

medium-bodied

racy

minerally

sweet

2005: CGCW Rating: 86

clean, fresh

2005: Tastings Rating: 89

tangy, tart

floral

medium body

minerals

ripe

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 85

delicate, round

2004: CGCW Rating: 86

apple, grass, lemon, oak

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 91

rich

cedar, grass, orange

ripe

Food Matches:

This tiny strip of land just north of San Francisco is home to America’s most prestigious wineries. Its climate is ideal for viticulture. Ironically, it was deemed too ideal for some vintners, who have moved their vineyards from the valley’s flat plain to the hills in the east and west, adhering to the idea that grapes that struggle to grow yield better wine. The climate, soil, and individual wineries are enormously varied, so it’s impossible to identify a singular trait of Napa wines. In addition, nearly every noble grape is grown here, although Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the primary grapes. In the past, Napa’s wines have alternated between extremely fruity and fat to lean and subtle. Today the best Napa wines have achieved a balance between these extremes. Many are made to be drunk young and have abundant ripe fruit; others can be initially hard and tannic, but soften over four or five years to perfumed, cedary fruit. White Napa wines are excellent with fresh-grilled fish and chicken, but can also cope with more spicy and creamy flavors. Many Napa reds will overwhelm delicate cuisine, but rich red meat and cheeses do make good companions.

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.