I have so many thoughts about this wine. First of all, what’s your favorite California Merlot? Oh sure, Three Palms and Oakville and Suscol Ranch and various Carneros spots will take the hit, plus a few others will make mention, but Monterey? Secondly, I think Arroyo Seco is wasted on Chardonnay-plaudits–just like Carneros. But is Arroyo Seco clay? Don’t care: it makes amazing wines of almost ANY variety. And here’s one lying low on the totem-pole, over-looked by most, and yet stunning year-in/year-out.

This is stupidly good wine. A lot of you know it… most don’t, because… well… inexpensive and “Monterey”. In the grand scheme of “Grenache delivers what Pinot promises” and like blanket-statements, how about Merlot delivers what Cab promises? Merlot is literally the word’s most perfect grape, and if you’re reading this and turning off, you are a moron. Spicy and briary in nose, a delve into deep vegetal earthiness could not be more-well argued. Dense to a point, but pulling back before Napa concentration and obliteration takes hold.

In the mouth: bright with more spice, an alchemy of nuances outstanding of descriptor and relishing in vigor. Everything works perfectly together: the burn, the mud, the crisp berry, and the laser-focused structure pitting pith against beauty far into the finish. There’s a reason 99% of inexpensive BDX’s are majority-merlot. It works. It churns. It digs up situations most red wine begs to deliver. Orange peel and blackberry vie for dominance, the acid a blank slate of conniving you are left guessing at. Where does this wine fail? No where. DRINK MOAR MERLOT.

2018 MCINTYRE Merlot Kimberly Vineyards Arroyo Seco Monterey Co. 14.5

https://www.mcintyrevineyards.com/