The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Cienega Valley

Varietal   Merlot

Retail Price   $18

ABV   14.5%

Score   4.5 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Beautiful deep ruby to garnet red color.

The aromatics are complex and refined with black cherries and plum in the lead with accents of dry earth, mineral, cedar, bark and cigar box.

The palate is true to the nose delivering a complex and subtle fruit attack with a generous dose of earth, forest floor, black pepper, and semi-tart cherries. Ideally proportioned with a generous dose of acid and moderate, dry tannins.

This wine is all about the superb balance. There is plenty here to chew on but the charm is found in its multi layers.

Cool Factor

Sadly it's hard to get people excited about Merlot (what a crime) but this is absolutely text-book quality Merlot and it will surely win over every open-minded Merlot Skeptic.

Value Grade

Whenever you can secure wine this well-made and tasty for under $20 you have to consider it a win.

Analysis

Pietra Santa's winemaker, Alessio Carli is understandably in love with grapes from his home but on my few visits to Pietra Santa I can always find Alessio going on about the quality of the Merlot grown at the estate. After one taste I had to agree, there is something special here. Each year the Merlot has been a consistent performer and I love to pour it for Merlot snobs and watch them swoon.

How to Enjoy

This wine has enough fresh acidity to make it an ideal partner to Italian cusine but I love it with most any dry-cured meats.