The Velvet Devil Merlot 2010

The  The Velvet Devil Merlot 2010 is 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Milbrandt Vineyard and the Purple Sage Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA and the Upland Vineyards in the Snipes Mountain AVA (inside the Yakima Valley AVA) and filled out by grapes from other vineyards in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley AVA’s. The Velvet Devil is a wine produced by Charles Smith Wines (Motto: Its just wine, drink it), they produce wines that get 99 points from Parker and they make real good wines that sell from $10 to $20, they got both ends of the spectrum covered. Charles Smith told me that the Velvet Devil was the lowest priced American Merlot that was aged in French oak barrels. The alcohol content is 13.5% and  it lists for 12 bucks.

The color is ruby red with black highlights and a pink halo. The nose is raspberry, french vanilla, violets and  a touch of spice drops. This is a wine with a smooth, silky mouthfeel, with a slight rough edge at the mid palate. It tastes of ripe cherry, cranberry, Snickers chocolate,  and a little creme brulee. The mid palate shows a slight rough edge from the tannins (like it should), blueberry, orange peel and pomegranate. The finish is strong and really sticks around for a while.

The Velvet Devil Merlot 2010 is a really solid taste of Washington State Merlot, rich, ripe fruit upfront, but balanced and not too heavy, there is a light touch to this Merlot. Real Merlot at a real good price. Drink on the back porch or gathered around the fire pit or maybe pair it with South American Pot Roast and roasted potatoes.

See also  2009 Beso de Vino Old Vine Garnacha
About the Author
Don’t tell anyone, but there is absolutely no correlation between the cost of wine and the quality of wine.

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