Ratings
90 points Wine Enthusiast (2022) · 91 points James Suckling (2022)
Identity
| Producer | Wente Vineyards |
| Vol | 0.75 |
| Grapes | 76% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah |
| Color | red |
| Sweetness | dry |
Tasting
| Color Desc | Deep garnet hue, mostly opaque and bright |
| Aroma | Aromas of ripe black cherries, plums, black currant, juicy plum, espresso, dark chocolate, creamy oak, vanilla, cocoa, baking spices, menthol, and hints of black olive and graphite |
| Palate | Velvety texture with layers of dark berries, vanilla, toasted oak, plush mid-palate, well-integrated tannins, full-bodied, smooth, balanced, fruit-driven, elegant, and complex |
| Finish | Lingering smooth finish with long, tannic, and balanced notes of dark fruit, oak, and baking spices |
| Food Pairing | Pairs well with rum goulash, plum jam, chickpea curry, grilled meats, roasted white meats, pizza, and veggie burgers |
| Aging Potential | Drinks well for the next five to seven years |
Profile
Acidity (1-5)
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
Body (1-5)
HIGH
Aroma (1-5)
HIGH
Astringency (1-5)
AVERAGE
Minerality (1-5)
AVERAGE
Enology
| ABV % | 13.5 |
| Aging Process | Aged in small oak barrels for approximately 20 months, with notes of toasted oak and vanilla |
| Fermentation | Fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures |
Terroir
| Soil | Soils include deep-sandy loam, lean soil with gravel and rock, and red clay with rock and gravel in Livermore Valley vineyards |
| Harvest Type | manual |
| Harvest Desc | Grapes are hand-harvested when perfectly ripe and immediately transported to the winery for selection and crushing |
Interesting facts
| Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously operated family-owned winery in America, founded in 1883. The Sandstone Merlot is crafted by the fifth generation Karl Wente and reflects California's diverse terroir. |