McIntyre 2015 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot: If anyone orders Merlot, I'm staying!
Hello Friends,
Released nearly fifteen years ago, Sideways remains one of the most successful wine movies of all time. The film's wine-centric character Miles praised Pinot Noir, while his passionate refusal to drink Merlot decreased public demand for it in the States so much, the measurable drop in sales was dubbed "the Sideways Effect." I totally embrace both varietals, and since there will never be another wine movie quite like Sideways, for about a decade now I have hosted an annual get-together with a small circle of friends to watch the film for the umpteenth time. Guests are asked to bring a bottle each of Merlot and Pinot Noir, and to make sure both are proven winners.
The good news is, I’ve already found my bottle of Merlot for this year’s viewing: McIntyre 2015 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot. McIntyre Vineyards is owned by long-time wine grower Steve McIntyre. The wine hails from the estate’s 81-acre Merlot vineyard in Arroyo Secco (Monterey County) appellation and is named after Steve’s wife, Kimberly. Steve calls the 2015 vintage “another nearly perfect growing season with few climatic extremes,” adding that it’s “definitely minimalistic wine-making.” This means less work in the cellar, allowing the vineyard to truly express itself in the glass. Clearly this is a wine that shows the excellence of both the vintage and the vineyard, as well as competence in the cellar.
Released nearly fifteen years ago, Sideways remains one of the most successful wine movies of all time. The film's wine-centric character Miles praised Pinot Noir, while his passionate refusal to drink Merlot decreased public demand for it in the States so much, the measurable drop in sales was dubbed "the Sideways Effect." I totally embrace both varietals, and since there will never be another wine movie quite like Sideways, for about a decade now I have hosted an annual get-together with a small circle of friends to watch the film for the umpteenth time. Guests are asked to bring a bottle each of Merlot and Pinot Noir, and to make sure both are proven winners.
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| McIntyre 2015 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot |
The good news is, I’ve already found my bottle of Merlot for this year’s viewing: McIntyre 2015 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot. McIntyre Vineyards is owned by long-time wine grower Steve McIntyre. The wine hails from the estate’s 81-acre Merlot vineyard in Arroyo Secco (Monterey County) appellation and is named after Steve’s wife, Kimberly. Steve calls the 2015 vintage “another nearly perfect growing season with few climatic extremes,” adding that it’s “definitely minimalistic wine-making.” This means less work in the cellar, allowing the vineyard to truly express itself in the glass. Clearly this is a wine that shows the excellence of both the vintage and the vineyard, as well as competence in the cellar.
Now, I know most Sideways fans remember Miles’ flippant remark that "If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving; I am not drinking any (expletive) Merlot!" While Miles made no secret of his disdain for Merlot, I’m quite certain he would drink the (expletive) out this one! And, for that matter, you would too. For further information and where you can find this delicious, limited-production wine, please see my tasting notes below.
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| This is one you can enjoy now or tuck in the cellar for later! |
McIntyre 2015 Kimberly Vineyards Merlot ($25): Made from 100% estate-grown Merlot fruit, this wine pours a beautiful purple garnet color. It’s quite attractive, delivering a satisfying combination of elegance, freshness, and ripeness. Generous dark-skinned fruit and crushed flowers fill the nose. The palate is richly textured yet really graceful, with fine-polished tannins framing a supple core of plum, cassis, and cedary black cherry flavors, with overtones of toasted fennel seeds and mineral hints weaving through the medium-long, lifted finish. This wine is a very good candidate to cellar, though it's plenty enjoyable to drink right now. Only 190 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California. Other info: ABV 14%, Sustainability In Practice (SIP) certified, cork enclosure. Click here to find this wine.
