181 Merlot 2007

There is something about the Lodi Appellation in California that produces amazingly big red wines with a lot of fruit. Perhaps it is the long, hot, dry summers they get out there. Or perhaps  it is because of the Lodi Rules, a set of sustainable winegrowing standards that requires growers to use a wide range of sustainable practices that result in continual improvement of all aspects of their farming practices. Or maybe it is just that the wine makers out in Lodi realize a good thing when they see one.

Regardless of the underlying reasons, Lodi is producing some of the most lush red wines on the market right now. One shining example is the 181 Merlot. The names stands for the 181 Merlot clone which can trace it’s history back to the Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France. It is at Clay Station Vineyard, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, where this grape is being grown.

Even amongst Lodi Merlots this one stands out. It appears as light ruby in color hinting at a medium bodied wine. On the nose you get black cherries with some slightly darker scents of dates and tobacco carrying it along. On the palate, this is a much more intense wine than the color indicates. The flavor of black cherries is brought forward with a bit of stone fruit. The tannins give the lingering impression of a slight spiciness being there. It has a long finish that just lingers and it would pair very nicely with something fresh off the grill like a marinated flank steak.