McManis Family Vineyards, Merlot, 2003

From the bottle, this merlot is vinted from grapes grown in the California (specifically between the San Joaquin & Stanislaus rivers). This merlot is 14.1% alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Frys Food & Drug

What did I pair it with: Various meats and cheeses

Appearance: Plumish purple with a ridge of legs that slowly moves down the glass.

Smell: Ginger, Asian spices, butterscotch, oak.

Palate Entry: Very nice entry of oak and smooth buttery tannins, with nuances of cherries and plums.
Mid Palate: The tannins increase to expand the mouth feel, brining forth more of the sour cherries.
Finish: The finish is quick, but balanced, almost reversing the mid palate, leaving one with the taste of light oak and cherries.

Price: $8.99
Quality rating: 90/100
Value rating: 50.56/60

Takeaway: I fully expected this wine to be a let-down, after reading a few reviews on the 2003, but I found the wine to be far closer to the 2002 vintage, which was rated a 90 by Wine Enthusiast – if this particular bottle isn’t a fluke, buy it by the case; it was a great value, even if it were to cost twice as much. Looking at the McMannis website after the fact, it would appear that I agree mostly with their winemaker; buy this one people.