Winemaker Notes
Purple hue and purple middle. Lovely fresh blueberry and red cherry aromatics with a little mocha and white pepper. The mouth is cola and darker fruits such as black plum and black cherry. Great ripe and supple tannins. Nice structure and a finish that is round and full.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Goldschmidt Vineyards Chelsea Merlot offers enticing aromas and flavors that stay lovely on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine is attractive with fruit-forward cherries in its aromas and flavors. Pair it with a sesame, chicken salad with mild chiles. (Tasted: May 22, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.