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Red
750ml
Bottle: $36.34
12 bottles: $35.62
A polished, elegant Merlot, with good structure framing deep flavors of currants, carob, violets, and anise. The...
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WE
90
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $144.44
Purple color with shimmering reflections. On the nose of powerful fragrances: wild blackberries, ripe cherry,...
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $185.95
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $42.98
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $309.35
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $233.95
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $83.70
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $213.95
The best showing yet from this cuvee (I rated in 96+ earlier this year), the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Secret de...
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98
JD
96
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $1082.77
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $221.82

Merlot Red Rhone Blend Viognier 2005 750ml

With its dark blue colored fruits and high juice content, Merlot varietal grapes have long been a favorite of wine producers around the globe, with it being found in vineyards across Europe, the Americas and elsewhere in the New World. One of the distinguishing features of Merlot grapes is the fact that they have a relatively low tannin content and an exceptionally soft and fleshy character, meaning they are capable of producing incredibly rounded and mellow wines. This mellowness is balanced with plenty of flavor, however, and has made Merlot grapes the varietal of choice for softening other, more astringent and tannin-heavy wines, often resulting in truly exceptional produce. Merlot is regarded as one of the key 'Bordeaux' varietals for precisely this reason; when combined with the drier Cabernet Sauvignon, it is capable of blending beautifully to produce some of the finest wines available in the world.

Although primarily associated with the Rhone region of France, the precise origins of the Viognier grape variety are unknown, and the subject of much debate. However, these fine and delicate green skinned grapes are an important varietal for many of France's most elegant white wines, and they are quickly beginning to spread around the New World, too, where wineries are discovering their unique qualities and unusual character. Viognier grapes are notoriously difficult to grow, due to the fact they are highly susceptible to mildew, but wineries persevere with them nonetheless, producing wines which are highly aromatic and have a great, fruit-forward character. Their delicate aroma suggests sweetness due to its flowery, sappy nature, but the wine itself generally very dry and crisp, and full of summery, light and refined qualities.