2017 Tin Barn Vinyards Merlot, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Divvy-Up
80 Points
ing Notes
"Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2021
The 2017 Merlot from Pickberry Vineyards presents bright notes of black cherry, chocolate, and a hint of anise, along with a lively acidity that makes the wine especially enticing.
Vineyard
Pickberry Vineyard sprawls over 30 rolling acres on the northeast slope of Sonoma Mountain. The vineyard get's it's name from the owner's daughter. When they first purchased the land, the family used to go out there to pick berries and the 2 1/2 year old began to refer to the ranch as "Pickberry".
Located on the Northestern slopes of Moon mountain, Pickberry Vineyard specializes in Bordeaux varietals Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. While the days can be warm, it is rarely as hot as Sonoma Valley, and nights are usually cool and often foggy. The result is late ripening fruit which benefits from a long growing season with the development of intense flavors and rich, deep colors.
Comments
After seeing the label, I was very excited to try this wine. The label is simple but sophisticated. I drank this wine at room temperature. This merlot is a beautiful deep, dark red. It is a full bodied wine. The first aroma I noticed was very fruity. It tasted like berries in my opinion. With my first taste, it seemed very fruit forward, but with my second and third taste I really tasted the chocolate. I tasted some spice, but not a lot. This merlot is high in tannins and leaves your mouth feeling dry. This wine is incredibly smooth! It's crisp and acidic, but has an overall smooth finish. The finish is very long. The flavor remains in your mouth for quite a long time. I would definitely recommend this wine and would drink it again myself. It is honestly one of the best wines I have tried. Love the Tin Barn merlot!
This wine was easy drinking, light and enjoyable. I enjoyed the smoothness and the chocolate after taste. I also enjoyed the smell of the fruits before drinking it. It would be one I would highly recommend to anyone. I enjoyed it with my steak and without food.