You’re gonna hate this wine. Why? Because it doesn’t taste like what you have been led to believe Merlot should taste like. Because it’s real. It’s sultry and earth-ridden. It’s tight and bitter and acrid and biting and doesn’t slobber your face with its tongue when it kisses you. Everyone loves to hate on Merlot–then wants every red they drink to taste just like it. Oh, it’s California for sure–the Right Bank will only produce merlots of this character in the finest years and twice the price-point. But it’s drrrty and gritty and acid-bound and tannic and ALIVE.
2015 GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU Merlot Sonoma Valley 14.6
Stephen McConnell 