Radius Merlot Review (2023)

Radius Merlot Featured

What Kind of Wine Is Radius Merlot?

Radius Merlot is an incredible Washington state red wine that is tremendously fruity and exceptional for everyday pleasure. The wine is sweet but has enough bite and complexity, from the tannins, to satisfy any Merlot lover. Aromas of ripe cherries, chocolate, and marshmallow-y vanilla are sure to draw wine lovers in, while lush red fruit flavors add so much to the general wine’s character.

Washington State is known for producing seductive Merlots blessed with red plum, blackberry, cocoa, coffee, and earthy flavors. These wines are delicious and velvety, just like Radius Merlot. And even if Washington wines might not be as fruit-forward and elaborate as their counterparts from California’s Napa Valley, they still exhibit Merlot’s structural components and characteristics. Ultimately, Radius Merlot is a brilliant example of East Coast winemaking, as it combines Washington summer temperatures with the sharp coolness of the region’s climate.


Radius Merlot Review

  • Winery — Radius
  • Country/Region — Washington, United States
  • Type — Red Wine From Washington
  • Aroma — Red Plum, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cocoa, Coffee, Vanilla Spice
  • Grapes — Merlot
  • Taste — Red Cherries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Red Plum Jam, Green Tea Leaves, Chocolate, Cinnamon Spice
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Beef Steaks, Pork Chops, Roasted Lamb, Grilled Fish

Radius Washington State Merlot is affordable and guarantees satisfaction to wine enthusiasts. As the aromas of ripe blackberries, plum, and cocoa draw you in, lush red fruit flavors, like a big bowl of yummy strawberries, explode in the mouth, while notes of melted chocolate and cinnamon spice unearth. On top of that, the wine’s soft and silky tannins add a certain roundness to the palate, leading to a smooth and fruit-lingering finish. Radius Merlot, closing, is a great wine indeed for daily occasions and pairs well with all types of food, from grilled meat to takeaways and simple cheese platters.

Overall Rating: 4.0

Positives
  • Fantastic Fruitiness
  • Savory
  • Smooth Tannins
  • Easy-To-Drink
  • Silky Finish
Negatives
  • Lacks Complexity
  • No Aging Potential

Tasting Notes

For starters, Radius Merlot has an attractive dark red color that is eye-catching. Then, as soon as it closes in the nose, aromas of ripe raspberries, exotic cocoa, and a hint of vanilla spice unearth before the wine commences a crazy dance in the mouth. Then, it is time for its supple tannins to take over and complement the plum jamminess while a subtle touch of green tea leaves and Belgian chocolate appear, blending together into a fresh but balanced wine. As such, Radius Merlot has irresistible layers of flavors and a personality taken directly from the 1980s, before the Merlot grape had gone out of style.

Appearance

One glance at Radius Merlot is enough to captivate your heart. A deep red color, just like red plum juice, appears as the wine is uncorked and poured into a glass. A few swirls later, and near the rim, blue hints slowly open and indicate that Radius Merlot is way more playful than it looks. The wine’s appearance is fabulous and sets the mood for the crazy dances that follow on the nose and in the mouth.

Aroma

Please, uncork the bottle and sniff. Then pour the wine into a glass and sniff again. That must have been one of the nicest aromatic experiences that you have had in a while. Not many Merlots can display such powerful aromatic intensity, full of chewy plum and forest berry fruit aromas, in a clear and distinguishable way. And what about the hints of vanilla oak or those singing notes of juicy black cherry, American dewberry, and boysenberry? Well, swirl the glass and sniff again. Quick!

Taste

Radius Merlot’s palate is dominated by ripe red fruits, such as raspberry and plum jam. But when the initial flavors subside, a new wild wave of gastronomical sensations detonate. This time spring strawberries and green tea leaves arrive, linked with spicy chocolate. The wine’s tannins also provide a balanced roundness on the tongue, as they are supple, fine-grained, and velvety, and compliment the overall deliciousness.

Finish

Radius Merlot signs-off marvelously with lingering red cherry fruit on the finish. The ending is soft and smooth, with the straightforward fruitiness previously displayed on the nose and mouth to remain present. As also are the green tea leaves and fresh juicy strawberries. As such, Radius Merlot has a great and comforting finish for a very satisfying wine.

Rating

Reviewing the Radius Merlot wine, I reiterated that it has the required structural components that distinguish simply good wines from the fabulous wines. Its irresistible layers of boisterous red fruit fragrances, such as raspberries and strawberries, together with its chocolate nature and black cherry flavors, lead to a delicate and gratifying finish.

Radius Merlot delivers an immersive and memorable drinking experience. And it celebrates dedicated Washington winemaking in every elegant swirl, delicious sip, and lingering drop. Finally, please taste the wine, especially those who consider Merlots out of style. You are bound to reconsider, as Radius Merlot is a beacon that shines as radiantly as the brightest sunlight among a vast sea of mediocre red wines.

Radius Merlot Food Pairing

As a Washington Merlot, the wine makes a luxurious combination with juicy Pork Chops or Grilled Beef Steaks of any kind. The grilled meat pairs incredibly well with the red plum and cocoa flavors of the wine. And if you ever visit Texas, get some original Texas-style BBQ sauce to marinate your meat for a more savory experiences.

On top of that, Radius Merlot goes with roasted lamb for an even more meaty pleasure or a modest flatbread pizza with pepperoni. But what will absolutely skyrocket the wine is aged goat’s cheese and a cheese plate of similar assortments. The contrast between fruitiness and cheesiness is so powerful that it gives new meaning to the phrase “two negatives make a positive.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Makes Radius Merlot?

Radius Merlot is produced by Radius Wines, located in Washington. It is the handiwork of winemaker, Hal Landvoigt, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the wine industry. Since 2008 and their first vintage, Radius Wines, have celebrated the winemaking process every year. Finally, they are determined to cultivate and collect the best grapes from Washington and California to bring fruit-driven, approachable, and unpretentious wines to the table.

How Is Radius Merlot Made?

As a dry red wine, Radius Merlot is made by the usual winemaking process. The grapes are picked from the vines, sorted, destemmed, and crushed until taken to the winery. There they are placed inside large stainless steel vessels, and alcoholic fermentation begins. Then, the temperature of the tanks steadily increases to ensure the extraction of color, flavor, and tannins from the fermented grapes. Specialized winemaking techniques take place and develop the wine’s personality. Afterward, the final wine might be placed into oak barrels for aging, and later it is bottled.

Where Is Radius Merlot Made?

Radius is crafted from the Merlot grape, which is cultivated in the Colombia Valley in Washington, best known for juicy red or crisp white wines. Columbia Valley lies east of the Cascade Mountains in the valleys of the Columbia River and its tributaries. Within this area are the smaller but significant Yakima Valley and Walla Walla. In addition, the shadow of the Cascade Mountains makes irrigation challenging in this sun-drenched area.

For this reason, the local river assists in the watering of the crops. Winemakers benefit from the long daylight hours and consistent summer temperatures too. The grapes attain optimal ripeness during sunny days, and the cool nights help them to maintain natural acidity levels. Lastly, the greatest challenge is Washington’s winter freeze, which may reduce crop volumes by half in some years.

How to Serve Radius Merlot?

Radius Merlot is best served at room temperature, approximately 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 15 degrees Celsius). It could also chill in the fridge for 20 minutes at the longest

As a dry red wine, a larger-sized wine glass would help considerably to allow the air to come into contain with the wine surface and realize its aromatic and flavor intensity. Plus, I would also recommend a balloon-shaped glass. Apart from looking sexy, its massive size will give Radius Merlot additional space for breathing, allowing it to reveal its raspberry and chocolate nature in all of its glory. Decanting is a good option as well, as it would benefit the wine with extra aeration.

How Much Does Radius Merlot Cost?

Purchasing Radius Merlot does not have significant cost-considerations. The wine is not cheap, but its name is also not printed on the most expensive labels. Furthermore, its intense red berry aromas and candy flavor make it a perfect gift choice that will be appreciated by anyone, whether the boss in the office or that neighbor that you desperately need to catch up with. Radius Merlot price ranges from $9 to $15 per 750ml bottle, and it is priced accordingly to its deliciousness, smoothness, and premium quality.

How Long Does Radius Merlot Last?

Radius Merlot might not be suitable for aging, as far as I am concerned. The reason is that the wine, like a classic American Merlot, values first its fruitiness and secondly its structural components and complexity. Therefore, if the wine goes for long-term maturation, it would risk eliminating its freshness, leaving behind a dull and faulty wine. That said, the wine could age for a short time, under certain circumstances, as that would allow it to develop some secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors.

If Radius Merlot goes for long-term storage, it should be sealed with a cork and stored away in an environment with temperatures (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 to 15 degrees Celsius) and a portion of humidity. Direct sunlight or artificial light is not beneficial as it will damage the wine by messing around with its enzymes, responsible for a successful maturation. Furthermore, the environment should be odor-free as odors find their way inside the bottle and affect the wine’s quality by giving it unpleasant flavors such as vinegar or sweaty animal skin. Finally, I would recommend a maximum of one to three years of maturation.

How Many Calories Does Radius Merlot Have?

Radius Merlot is a highly suitable dietary option. The wine consists of just 24 calories per 1 fluid ounce of the beverage or a total of 125 calories per serving. Consequently, Radius Merlot calories are not an obstacle to the daily enjoyment of the wine. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Radius Merlot alcohol content sits at 13,5% per 750ml bottle, which is about right for an everyday red wine from Washington.

Conclusion

Radius Washington State Merlot is affordable and guarantees satisfaction to wine enthusiasts. As the aromas of ripe blackberries, plum, and cocoa draw you in, lush red fruit flavors, like a big bowl of yummy strawberries, explode in the mouth, while notes of melted chocolate and cinnamon spice unearth. On top of that, the wine’s soft and silky tannins add a certain roundness to the palate, leading to a smooth and fruit-lingering finish. Radius Merlot, closing, is a great wine indeed for daily occasions and pairs well with all types of food, from grilled meat to takeaways and simple cheese platters.

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