Greystone Cellars Merlot 2012
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Pair alongside Coq au Vin.
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts as well as certificate programs in culinary arts and professional wine studies. The college has campuses in New York (Hyde Park), California (The CIA at Greystone, St. Helena), and Texas (San Antonio). In addition to its degree and certificate programs, the CIA offers courses for professionals and food enthusiasts. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley, The CIA at Greystone is housed in a magnificent stone winery building, which was built in 1889 as Greystone Cellars.
In more recent history, the Greystone building was known as Christian Brothers from 1950 until 1990, when the CIA purchased the property. The beloved winemaker of the Christian Brothers, Brother Timothy, was an avid collector of corkscrews, and his collection, one of the most impressive in the world, is on permanent loan to The CIA at Greystone, and the inspiration for the Greystone Cellars wine labels. Since 1995, one of Greystone’s neighbors, Markham Vineyards, has been producing a small amount of Greystone Cellars wines exclusively for the CIA, under the stewardship of Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls and President Bryan Del Bondio. With the national launch of Greystone Cellars® wines, the CIA and Markham Vineyards bring the highest-quality California wines at the best possible value to a larger audience. Greystone wines are approachable, easy to drink, and befitting their connection to the CIA, enhance the culinary experience of any meal at which they are served. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Greystone Cellars wines will benefit the CIA at Greystone, a not-for-profit institute of higher education.
Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek—influenced by European Merlot blends—began crafting single varietal versions. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection—a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.
Fine examples of California Merlot—either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend—can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age.