Winemaker Notes
Arrowood 2001 Merlot displays a rich, deep purple color with tremendous dimension in the nose. Intoxicating aromas of black fruit and cherry are enhanced by nuances of toffee and vanilla. On the palate, upfront flavors of cherry and plum stand out against a backdrop of black licorice and cedar with a pleasing toasty, smoky element. With its rich, silky texture, balanced tannins and lengthy finish, this complex wine is as Richard Arrowood puts it, "not for the faint of heart."
This Sonoma County Merlot will complement a wide variety of foods, from osso bucco to grilled fowl to a hearty bleu cheese such as Roquefort or Cambazola. Approachable and drinkable now, it can also be cellared for enjoyment at a later date. It should develop beautifully for another 10 to 15 years.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.