Crandall-Brooks, Merlot (Napa Valley), 2002

From the bottle, this Merlot is yielded from grapes grown in Napa Valley California, vinted and bottled in Santa Rosa CA and is 13.5% alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Cost Plus

What did I pair it with: N/A

Appearance: Very dark red, almost black.

On the nose: Though pretty light, I do get hints of perfume (alcohol & flowers) and white pepper.

Palate Entry: the palate takes its cue from the nose, not offering up much of anything.
Mid Palate: Some tannins strike the mid-tongue, zinging me a bit, with some vegetal flavors starting to show.
Finish: The finish is dry, unexpressive, and easily forgotten.

Price: $10.99
Quality rating: 82/100
Value rating: 45.55/60

Takeaway: This wine wasn’t overly flawed, it was simply overly boring. Was it balanced? Yes. Was it complex? Not at all. If you enjoy simple wines, this one is okay, though it didn’t express any of the varietal character known to some of the more opulent Napa merlots that I’ve grown to love. If paired with a simple dinner of sharp cheeses and French bread, this wine will hide itself well, otherwise, skip it.