2003 Frazier Merlot Napa Valley California. Blend of 84.5% Merlot, 14.0% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.2% Cabernet Franc and 0.3% Petit Verdot. Free run wine; aged in French oak. 14.6% alcohol. Andrea Robinson Wine Club. $40. 525 cases.
Deep red color, deep hue, very good aromas of cherries, cocoa and earth, very good tastes of fruit, spice, earth and a brooding smoky character, medium mouth feel, long interesting finish with earth, fruit and smoke notes. Perhaps a little oaky, but this is certainly a very nice California Merlot, able to stand comparison with Pride Mountain Merlot. 4*.
Andrea: "Its food affinities surprised me. For one, dark chocolate was a great match – each toned town the slight bitterness of the other, and in combination the fruit of the wine and the depth of the chocolate taste were both highlighted. Get a bittersweet chocolate of 65% cacao or higher, taste some of the chocolate and then while it’s still in your mouth, sip the wine."
She also suggested drinking this wine with macaroni and cheese, in her case, out of a Kraft box, in my case from the Market Basket. Delicious combination, frankly.
Regards, Bob