Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Sonoma County Merlot showcases the truest and best expression of the diverse and idyllic growing conditions in Sonoma County. This 2016 leads with intense aromas of dark fruits, cream and cardamom fill the palate. Its well-structured, mouth-filling tannins glide across the palate leading to a complex finish.
The supple fruit flavors in this wine pair wonderfully with the earthy notes found in a grilled eggplant dish, or wild mushroom risotto.
Blend: 80% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 6% Malbec
BOLD. UNAPOLOGETIC.
Roth Estate is a bold expression of luxury Bordeaux varietals from Sonoma County’s best AVAs. The winery was founded in 2001 simply as a tribute to the founder’s family name and a desire to produce bold, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley with the truest and best expression of the land. As our respect for the craft grew, so did our mission to create a bold expression of luxury Bordeaux varietals from Sonoma County’s best AVAs alongside our drive to embrace and share the “ultimate life” through celebrating friends and family and championing bold, and incredible wine, food and experiences.
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.