The Tin Roof Merlot 2012 is a taste of California Merlot with grapes sourced from the Central Coast, the North Coast and Lodi AVA’s. Tin Roof’s website has not been updated in a while (the last Merlot vintage shown is 2009), but they have made wine for over 30 years and have a pretty good track record for producing quality affordable wine. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a clear, see-thru, garnet red. The nose is black cherry, plum, toasty oak, black pepper and blackberry. This is a substantial Merlot, with solid tannins and balanced oak influence. It starts with plum, black cherry and herbs. The mid-palate brings cassis (not sweet), slightly tart cherry and dusty chocolate powder. The tannins provide structure, but do not interfere with the flavors of the Merlot, the acidity is wall balanced by the body of the wine. The finish is full and long.
The Tin Roof Merlot 2012 is a very solid, tasty, affordable wine. I am not a huge Merlot fan, but I am pretty happy with my glass of Tin Roof. This a smooth, easy to drink Merlot, but it has tannins, it has oak, it has acidity, it has some complexity to the flavor. As for a pairing, I’ve been thinking a Chipolte Steak Burrito would hit the spot.
