The 2008 Red Diamond Merlot is 91.6% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.4% Cabernet Franc sourced from several AVA’s in Washington State. Red Diamond Winery is owned by Chateau Ste Michelle and Wine And Spirits Magazine named the Red Diamond Merlot one of the Top Ten Merlot’
s In America, you should be able to find it selling for $10 or less. The wine is aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months and the alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is nice and purple. The nose is cherry and fudge brownie, a whiff of petrol and Blackberry, vanilla and a hint of pepper. This is a full bodied Merlot, strong flavors and bold tannins. It starts off with extracted blackberry and softer blueberry, then comes chocolate mingled with vanilla. The mid-palate offers raspberry and tea, you can sense the tannins but they don’t bite. The acidity is well balanced and helps the finish last a pleasingly long time.
The Red Diamond Merlot is a well made, delicious wine, I found it for $8.99 and that is a remarkable price for a Merlot this good. Here is where the movie, Sideways, was dead wrong. The Pinot Noir selling for ten bucks can be very drinkable, but not much more than that. An $8.99 Merlot can be a true value. The Red Diamond is smooth and tasty enough to drink on its own or you can toss some chops or a couple of steaks on the grill and live large on a budget.
