14 Hands Merlot

This 14 Hands Merlot comes in a 750ml bottle, listed under Esplanda from Massachusetts. Merlot is a red grape, and bottlings like this usually show plum, black cherry and red berry fruit, sometimes with a softer note of cocoa, dried herbs or vanilla. The body is typically medium to medium-full, with tannins that are rounder and less gripping than Cabernet Sauvignon, and moderate acidity that keeps the fruit from feeling heavy. Expect a smooth, easy-drinking finish of medium length. If oak was used, it tends to appear as light toast or spice rather than a dominant flavor. The details we have don't specify oak treatment, ABV or vintage, so check the label for those. Merlot's soft structure makes it flexible at the table. It suits roast chicken, pork tenderloin, turkey with herb stuffing, and burgers or meatloaf. It also works with mushroom dishes, baked pasta with a tomato-meat sauce, and mild to medium cheeses such as Gouda, Havarti or aged cheddar. Very spicy food and delicate fish tend to clash with red wine of this style. Pizza with sausage or roasted vegetables is another dependable match. Serve it slightly cooler than room temperature, around 60 to 65°F. Twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets a bottle to that range. A wine in this style rarely needs formal decanting. Pouring it into a decanter or leaving it in the glass for 15 to 30 minutes will loosen the aromas if the first pour seems tight. A standard red wine glass with a generous bowl gives the fruit room to open up while narrowing toward the rim to concentrate the aromas. Merlot at this level is generally made to be drunk young, so plan to open it within a year or two of purchase rather than cellaring it. Once opened, recork it and keep it in a cool place, and plan to finish it within two to three days.