Tulocay Winery, Napa Valley, California

This ain't your grandma's Merlot...

We've released the 2001 and 2002 Sierra Oaks Vineyard El Dorado County Merlots simultaneously! Why? Well, because there's been so much demand for this wine, so why hold it back? Plus, each vintage is a little bit different.

The 2001, at a full 15% alcohol, is like Merlot-on-steroids. Okay, so any Napa Valley vintner will tell you it's easy to get high-sugar merlot grapes, but at low altitudes, like Napa Valley, acids can also drop precipitously. Too often what you end up with is a fat, flabby, high alcohol Merlot, which is fine if you like that sort of thing. We don't.

What makes our Sierra Oaks Vineyard special is that it's located in the Sierra Nevadas at about 2500 feet. With the exceptionally cool nights and warm (but not too hot) days, this means high sugars and high acids — a perfect combination.

The 2002, at a mere 14.4% alcohol, is more like the 2000 and 1999, which will be a great relief to all our friends in New Jersey who have liked those wines so much.

2001 Merlot Sierra Oaks Vineyard, El Dorado County

"Cadman has a Merlot which is big. The grapes come not from the Napa Valley, but from El Dorado County in the Sierra Foothills. The Sierra Oaks Vineyard has about 5 acres of Merlot and it's located at the 2,500 elevation. You'll find this obscure place on a map west of Fair Play, north of Fiddletown and south of Melsons Corner. We're not talking 'center of the universe' exactly. But Cadman likes this fruit because the grapes have a pretty good temperature 'swing' from day to night.

"The 2001 vintage 'ain't no flatland Merlot!' No sir. It's a full-throttle, pedal-to-the-metal red wine and it won't appeal very much to those who have buy Merlot 'because Cabernet is too strong.' This is probably the appropriate Merlot to be drinking during the California governorship of a body-builder. Be sure to have your seat-belt fastened when drinking this." — Weimax Wines & Spirits

2002 Merlot Sierra Oaks Vineyard, El Dorado County

"Brilliant ruby red hue. Tobacco, cherry, sage and oak aromas. Medium-full with very good concentration, this is an impressive, 'serious' Merlot that has the structure to age for several years. The oak is nicely integrated and there are firm tannins. RATED: 90 points (Exceptional)" — Beverage Testing Institute

"Wine makes a man better pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others.... This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts."
— Samuel Johnson

"This wine is too good for toast-drinking, my dear. You don't want to mix emotions up with a wine like that. You lose the taste."
— Ernest Hemingway

"Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does, except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place." — Abigail Van Buren

"...when you get right down to it, a big, fat Syrah isn't a whole lot different from a big fat Merlot." — Rod Smith, wine columnist

"If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any fucking Merlot!" — Miles Raymond, from the film Sideways

"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy." — Benjamin Franklin

“What I do and what I dream include thee, as the wine must taste of its own grapes.” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The general poop...

The Sierra Oaks Vineyard is located near the town of Mt. Aukum in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The five acres of merlot are grown on warm, sunny rolling hills and terraced hillsides at the 2,500 foot level.

Like Pinot Noir, Merlot can vary greatly from growing area to growing area. It is an early ripener, which can be a problem in California's warm climate. One day the grapes can be ready to pick, the next they can be overripe.

The Sierra Oaks Vineyard is high enough to assure the cool nights that the merlot grapes need to recoup their strength between hot days. Thus they are able to stay on the vine longer before reaching ripeness, achieving a maturity and harmony of acidity, sugar, and flavor.

While substantial, Sierra Oaks Merlot is not flabby as so many flatland Merlots can end up. It is big, flavorful, forthcoming. Subtle it is not.

Drink with hearty meals. In fact, this is one of the few Merlots that will stand up to pizza or tomato-based pastas.

— Skippy, Chief Cellar Rat

To learn more about the El Dorado wine growing region, the oldest in California, please click HERE.