What Kind of Wine Is Red Diamond Merlot?
Red Diamond Merlot is a powerful and complicated red wine from Washington, with soft-spiced black cherry, berry and ripe plum aromas, and hints of a toasty oak background. Sweet, tasty fruit on the palate is complemented by medium-bodied, fine-grained tannins and a smooth finish. Red Diamond Merlot aged for over 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels for added complexity and charred wood aromas and flavors.
Furthermore, Washington is renowned for producing charming Merlots that show ample red plum, cocoa, coffee, and occasionally earthy flavors. Most wines from Washington are luscious, just like Red Diamond Merlot wine. And even though Washington wines are not as fruity-forward as their counterparts from Napa Valley, they still present the varietal and structural components of the Merlot grape variety. Red Diamond is an example of glorious East Coast winemaking, as it combines Washington summertime temperatures with the piercing coldness of the region.
Red Diamond Merlot Review
- Winery — Red Diamond Winery
- Country/Region — United States, Paterson, Washington
- Type — Red Wine from Washington
- Aroma — Black Cherries, Blackberries, Red Plum, Mocha, Cocoa, Smoke, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Red Currants, Red Cherries, Chocolate, Jam, Cinnamon Spice, Charred Oak
- Alcohol Content — 13%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pork Tacos, Grilled Fish, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Red Diamond Merlot is a diamond of a Washington red. Fruity but structured, the wine offers a perfect drinking experience, as it is neither too dry nor sweet. As the wine has also aged for almost a year in French and American oak barrels, its woody nature blends wonderfully with the dark cherry and cocoa aromas and flavors, creating a powerful and sensual wine. The finish is smooth, fruity, and tannic too, which nicely complements the nose and the mouth. Red Diamond demonstrates that Merlots are refreshing and complicated, and apart from having a savory chocolate nature, they also have a massive appeal to wine enthusiasts.
Tasting Notes
Red Diamond Merlot is a polished wine that will satisfy wine critics. Aromas of spiced black cherry, blackberry, and mature red plum surface on the nose, as well as an emerging charred wood sensation, complementing the wine’s deep purple color. On the mouth, Red Diamond Merlot retains its varietal characteristics by displaying a medium-body coupled with dark fruit and a tiny bit of cedar and chocolate touches.
The acidity is light but refreshing, and the wine’s tannins are soft and silky without much astringency, leading to a mildly tannic finish. The fact that the wine has also aged 12 months in oak barrels gives it a sophisticated approach, bringing to mind fond memories of the 1980s when the Merlot grape variety was dominant in the United States.
Appearance
Red Diamond Merlot has an attractive appearance. From the moment the wine is poured into a glass, a deep dark purple color appears, a color that reminds you of plums. The rim is ruby, like winter pomegranates, and the legs are long and watery. Yes, the color of the wine is that attractive! As a consequence, Red Diamond Merlot’s appearance is set to capture and hold the attention of wine enthusiasts on the lookout for a wonderful wine, which can also become the central theme at wine-tasting parties.
Aroma
A rich dark berry and plum nose, emerge from Red Diamond Merlot as soon as you uncork it. Aromas of raspberries, dark chocolate, and vanilla spice characterize its aromatic profile, while small touches of charred wood and leather, as a result of aging, dance happily around too. Therefore, Red Diamond Merlot has an extra appealing nose that is especially hard to forget. And it draws wine enthusiasts in for sniffs. It is a wine that you would want to keep smelling. A wine that dynamically combines the fruitiness of the Merlot with the toastiness of aging.
Taste
Washington is known for some of the best Merlot grapes in the world. Therefore, Red Diamond has a very complex taste profile. Flavors of cherry and plum blend harmonically with the wine’s inherent jamminess and dark chocolate. And if Red Diamond Merlot is left undisturbed for some time on the dining table, notes of coffee and black pepper are experienced too. Finally, the sweet fruit on the palate is complemented by medium-bodied but velvety tannins, which help balance the slight sweetness, adding additional complexity.
Finish
With a smooth, fruity, and long lingering finish, Red Diamond Merlot maintains its structural characteristics to the end, as it is closing the curtain. The dark berry flavors remain in the mouth while the baking spices and savory chocolate sit triumphantly still on the tongue. Seconds later, a controlled but refreshing acidity takes over in a similar fashion to wild sea waves, cleaning the mouth, which afterwards, begs for another gurgling sip.
Rating
Red Diamond Merlot is a great example of Washington winemaking and of dedication and passion. It is definitely a wine made by wine lovers. It has endless energy, fruitiness, and enough complexity to make an ideal wine choice for nearly every occasion. With its superbly aromatic nose, full of red and black fruit, cooked plums, and a palate filled with touches of raspberry and underlying layers of cedar, smoke, and chocolate, Red Diamond Merlot could be your staple everyday wine. Therefore, it is a wine that does not disappoint, but is sufficiently versatile to pair well with a wide variety of food.
Red Diamond Merlot Food Pairing
Red Diamond Merlot is a versatile wine and it is addressed to wine enthusiasts on the lookout for a daily but yummy wine. As such, it is enjoyable with every kind of food. However, Red Diamond is particularly delicious when paired with grilled goodies. Grilled fish, such as sea bass or tuna, complement its cherry flavors and slight astringency, while vegetarian dishes like grilled Portobello mushrooms help the earthiness emerge.
That is because the umami in the mushroom combines incredibly with Merlot’s varietal personality. Pork tacos are also exceptional to pair with Red Diamond and serve as a quick Monday dinner of pasta with tomato sauce. The great thing about Red Diamond is that it is so easy to pair with every food available. It is really like the jack-of-all-trades of the wine world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Red Diamond Merlot?
Red Diamond Merlot is a product of Red Diamond Winery, which is in Paterson, Washington. Red Diamond wines are considered to be bold interpretations of varietals sourced from around the world. Using distinctive grapes from vineyards, Red Diamond wines are smooth, as well as fruity-forward, and easy-to-drink. Furthermore, the company belongs to Craig Stein Beverage (CSB), one of the beverage distributors in the United States.
How Is Red Diamond Merlot Made?
As a dry red wine, Red Diamond is made with 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. In the specific case of Red Diamond Merlot, fermentation took six to ten days on the skins, with a twice-daily pump over regime, the procedure with which winemakers ensure the extraction of color, flavor, and tannins from the fermented grapes.
Afterward, even more specialized winemaking techniques take place and develop the wine’s final personality. The wine is later placed for over 12 months in different vessels for aging. A combination of French and American barrels are used to add complexity. And then, the wine is bottled.
Where Is Red Diamond Merlot Made?
Red Diamond is produced from the Merlot grape and cultivated in Washington, which is best known for juicy red or crisp white wines. The majority of the vineyards in Washington are planted in the extensive Columbia Valley that lies east of the Cascade Mountains in the valleys of the Columbia River. Within this area are the smaller but significant Yakima Valley and Walla Walla.
On top of that, the Columbia Valley is in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains making river irrigation a necessity. Daylight hours and consistent summer temperatures are an advantage of the region too. The grapes attain optimal ripeness due to the sunny days while the cool nights help them to sustain natural levels of acidity. The gravest challenge of the region is the winter freeze, which may reduce crop volumes by half.
How to Serve Red Diamond Merlot?
Ideally, Red Diamond Merlot should be served at room temperature, approximately 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 18 degrees Celsius). If medium-to-full-body wines get too cold, they will taste thin and become harsh. Subjecting them to higher temperatures than recommended leads to losing their freshness and becoming muddled. That said, Red Diamond Merlot could benefit from a light chilling.
As a dry red wine, Red Diamond should be poured into larger-sized wine glasses, as they would help to allow the air to come into contact with the wine surface and release unique aromas and flavors. Personally, I would also recommend a balloon-shaped glass as its large bowl will offer Red Diamond Merlot space for breathing. Decanting is great too, as it allows its subtle smoke and vanilla spice to blend entirely with the chocolate and create a new irresistible wine-drinking experience.
How Much Does Red Diamond Merlot Cost?
The wine is extremely affordable for its quality and distinctive Washington state character. Red Diamond Merlot price ranges from just $9 to $15 per 750ml bottle, depending on the vendor and vintage. The wine’s low price point is an attractive opportunity for wine enthusiasts to try and enjoy the sweet taste of black cherry and the subtle touches of vanilla and cinnamon spices that lead to a smooth, oaky finish. Red Diamond Merlot is the perfect weekend wine and at this rock-bottom price is an absolute steal. Go and buy it then!
How Long Does Red Diamond Merlot Last?
Red Diamond Merlot, through careful aging, has the potential to evolve its structure and develop deeper aromas. Hints of tar, fig, cherries, as well as jammy flavors of plums, tobacco, and the wet forest floor may emerge. Therefore, Red Diamond Merlot is suitable for long-term storage and maturation.
The wine should be sealed with a cork, resting on its side, and stored in a safe environment with a portion of humidity and temperatures that suffer from no fluctuation. Direct sunlight or artificial light must be avoided at all costs, as the wine may suffer irreparable damage and become faulty, something which no wine enthusiast should desire. Plus, the storage environment should be odor-free since when storing a bottle of wine, its cork allows a small amount of oxygen to come inside to maintain the liquid fresh. Consequently, if odors are near the storage area, they will negatively affect the structure of the wine.
As a final note, I would recommend against storing Red Diamond for longer than three years because the wine is bound to start losing its freshness and give way to some unwelcome tertiary flavors.
How Many Calories Does Red Diamond Merlot Have?
Red Diamond Merlot has a low-calorie density. There are about 24 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to a total of 122 calories per serving. The calories breakdown is: 0g Fats, 0g Sodium, 3g Total Carbohydrate, 0g Protein, and 1g Total Sugars. As a consequence, Red Diamond Merlot calories are nothing to worry about, constituting the wine a solid dietary choice. Further, Red Diamond Merlot alcohol content is 13%.
Conclusion
Red Diamond Merlot is a diamond of a Washington red. Fruity but structured, the wine offers a perfect drinking experience, as it is neither too dry nor sweet. As the wine has also aged for almost a year in French and American oak barrels, its woody nature blends wonderfully with the dark cherry and cocoa aromas and flavors, creating a powerful and sensual wine.
The finish is smooth, fruity, and tannic too, which nicely complements the nose and the mouth. Red Diamond demonstrates that Merlots are refreshing and complicated, and apart from having a savory chocolate nature, they also have a massive appeal to wine enthusiasts.
