McManis Merlot (75cl, 13.5%)

McManis Merlot is a fruit-forward red wine from Lodi, California, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. McManis Family Vineyards farms in the Lodi appellation. The fruit is fermented on skins for six to nine days, then pressed and finished in stainless steel tanks before six months ageing on new and used French and American oak. The blend is predominantly Merlot, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Teroldego. The aroma leads with ripe blackberry, followed by vanilla cream and baking spices, with subtle smoke and sage. The palate is juicy and concentrated, centred on dark berry fruit, with vanilla and creamy texture building around the black fruit core. The finish is medium in length, with toasty warm oak and residual berry sweetness.