Wine of the Week: Bogle 2016 Merlot

Wine of the Week:

2016 Merlot from @boglevineyards, made in Clarksburg, California.

Bogle’s 2016 Merlot is surprisingly decadent yet smoothly approachable, providing a nuanced tasting experience that can be paired with a variety of occasions and foods.

I detected a strong maple-y warmth with elements of baked blackberry on the nose. There is a woody black-fruit density to the aroma similar to syrupy baked goods such as pie or cobbler. This merlot is fairly vivid in scent alone.

In terms of flavor, a vanilla taste adds a smooth familiarity while notes of blackberry, oak, cocoa, maple, and plum add a warm richness to the aftertaste. The fruit elements aren’t necessarily sweet or typically “fruity,” hence my comparison to the deep syrup-esque nature of baked fruit. Notes of toasted almonds, pecans, and caramel surfaced as well, reminding me of wines aged in bourbon barrels (despite this one not being bourbon-barrel aged).

In texture, I felt a dryness on the tip of the tongue that nicely juxtaposed with the warmth on the throat. With a smooth yet lasting finish and high dryness, the tannins were strong and gave fairly syrupy legs on the glass. The alcohol content (14%) is pronounced but the depth of flavor alongside the alcohol makes it enjoyable even for someone who doesn’t necessarily favor or seek alcohol-rich beverages. Arguably, a higher alcohol content can sometimes diminish and distract from taste complexities. This one provided heat on the nose and mouth without sacrificing the overall flavor and aroma of the wine.

As a versatile and relaxed red, I can see this pairing well with pizza, pasta, burgers, and perhaps a mushroom risotto or rich desserts (chocolate cake, a dark chocolate bar, or black-fruit or maple-flavored baked goods). Classified as an “everyday wine” by Bogle, this inky-hued merlot is likely to satisfy a variety of tastes due to its subtle complexities, agreeable depth, and smooth finish. I’m not likely to gush about it, but it’s certainly enjoyable, recommendation-worthy, and potentially viable for a discounted repurchase (I probably wouldn’t buy it for $11.99).

A Barnivore.com search confirmed that the 2016 Merlot by Bogle is vegan-friendly. See my past Bogle review for more details on the company’s vegan-friendly and sustainable wine-making practices.

Price

Retails for $11.99 @WorldMarket, bought on sale and with a discount for a subtotal of $6.79.

ABV

14%

Meal pairing

This one was primarily sipped alone, but also tasted great when tried with a small piece of salty dark chocolate.

---

Fun Fact

Popularly grown, Merlot wines tend to be smooth, moderate, and easy to pair with a variety of meals. They are sometimes referred to as the toned down relative to Cabernet Sauvignon, however, Merlot can be made equally as bold depending on terroir and vinification processes. Commonly made in the French Bordeaux region and throughout California, this deep-colored red tends to be oak-aged and can taste of red fruits, clove, tobacco, vanilla, and an earthy minerality. Climate ultimately brings different characteristics to the wine, however.