Red Rock Merlot Review (2023) – Reserve

Red Rock Merlot Featured

What Kind of Wine Is Red Rock Merlot?

Red Rock Merlot is a Californian red dry reserve wine made from the Merlot grape variety, renowned for both light and heavier reds that have undergone substantial maturation. California’s Mediterranean climate is responsible for the warmth to the vines, which is imperative for producing rich, silky wines.

Most successful wines from the region are typically a blend of various grapes. In the case of Red Rock, the wine is made entirely from Merlot, which is even more exhilarating, as this popular grape varietal is known for a beautiful ruby color and a flowery bouquet of fruit. Let us find out more in the review!


Red Rock Merlot Review

  • Winery — Red Rock
  • Country/Region — California, United States
  • Type — Californian Merlot
  • Aroma — Red Cherries, Red Plum, Black Cherries, Cocoa, Smoke, Mint, Eucalyptus, Vanilla Spice
  • Grapes — Merlot
  • Taste — Black Berries, Black Currants, Chocolate, Jam, Black Pepper, Leather, Charred Oak
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Grilled T-Bone Rib Eye Steak, Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Red Rock Merlot is a powerful, medium-to-full-bodied, but uniquely fruity Merlot from California State. It has spent a considerate amount on its lees and has aged for two months in oak barrels. Displaying superb aromas of cherry and plum along a few underlying hints of smoke and dried herbs, Red Rock’s aromatic profile is the definition of American rock-and-roll, at least when it comes to wines.

On the mouth further, it is creamy and exhibits flavors of dark berry fruits. The finish is extraordinary and long, with notes of leather and chocolate, showcasing the Merlot character. Red Rock Merlot is a treat of wine, and when you are in confusion about what beverage to bring to the party or what to pair with those juicy grilled steaks at the boys’ barbecue, Red Rock is the safest choice.

Overall Rating: 4.0

Positives
  • Fruit-forward
  • Smooth And Round Mouthfeel
  • Super Delicious
  • Maturation Is Present
  • Strong Finish
  • Affordable
Negatives
  • Chocolate Character Is Somehow Hidden

Tasting Notes

Red Rock Merlot has a wonderful dark red color that turns to garnet after a few quick swirls. Aromas of juicy plum and cherry fruit dominate the nose, as well as notes of coffee and smoke. Smooth, and soft in the mouth, Red Rock Merlot wine is perfectly balanced and creamy from start to finish. Luscious flavors of blackberry and plum provide an intense fruitiness and complement the delicate and tannins. The finish is long and lingering and has slight hints of leather and, as expected, dark chocolate. Red Rock, therefore, is an excellent choice for those on the lookout for a distinguishable, approachable, Merlot.

Appearance

Red Rock’s appearance is like a work of Academism, as the wine’s ruby color brings to mind “A Girl Looking Left, Gulnihal”, by a 19th-century British painter, Frederic Lord Leighton. In the painting, a little girl with gently flushed cheeks is dressed in an elegant reddish robe, with the whole drawing being a manifestation and celebration of the innocent ruby color. Red Rock has a color of the same hue. And after a few swirls in the glass, Red Rock, turns to a subtle garnet color, an indication that the Merlot has successfully aged and displays its full-color palette.

Aroma

A volcanic-like eruption of dark and red fruits emerge as soon as Red Rock has been uncorked, revealing multiple layers of aromatic levels. As soon as the glass reaches the nose, intense cherry, bramble, and plum emerge, with notes of ground coffee and smoky oak. Afterward, a sweet smell of strawberries makes a bold entrance, giving way to aromas of dried herbs. Red Rock Merlot has an incredibly complex aromatic profile that will satisfy every dedicated wine enthusiast.

Taste

Red Rock Merlot combines marvelously with the fruitiness of its grape varietal with structure from aging. Flavors of blackberry and plum give a taste to the wine, as it balances on soft and delicate tannins. Red Rock is a tad sweet when the second wave of flavors hit the palate. Blackcurrants and black pepper are the concluding hint in creating a wine with a well-rounded structure.

Finish

Smooth and lingering, the finish of Red Rock Merlot is memorable. It is as long and fruity as the rest of the wine. A reminder of the best pastries in Copenhagen. Red Rock remains satisfying until the very last drop, without drifting away from its Merlot varietal characteristics and components.

Rating

Red Rock Merlot is a prime example of passionate and dedicated Washington winemaking. It is tasty with enough fruitiness and layers of complexity to satisfy even those with very high expectations. Its unstoppable freshness and wonderful underlying layers of caramelized sugar, charred wood, coffee, and chocolate add a unique warmth that can be seen only on the best Merlots. Red Rock Merlot is as luscious as it is young with a long, silky finish and soft tannins, it delivers an experience that will be hard to find again. Why not? Just buy more!

Red Rock Merlot Food Pairing

As a Californian red that has undergone maturation in oak barrels, Red Rock Merlot pairs well with grilled and well-seasoned meats. Buy a T-bone rib eye from your local butcher, season with sea salt and black pepper, marinate and cook until medium-rare. Then slice it and enjoy the meaty goodness with a glass of Red Rock. That is something, right?

Another excellent way to experience the wine’s complexity is pairing it with meatballs in tomato sauce. The meatballs blend wonderfully with the wine’s smoky aromas and dark cherry flavors, while the tomato sauce is a staple pairing choice with Merlots. I would also combine Red Rock with a tasty fruit salad with fresh berries as the main ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Makes Red Rock Merlot?

Red Rock Merlot is a product of Red Rock Winery, which is in California. Red Rock wines are inspired by the beauty of nature, embodying the quest for wine-making perfection. Their wines are considered bold and daring. Red Wines produces the smooth Merlot reviewed here, and it is a bold Malbec, a rich Noir, and a complex Red Blend.

How Is Red Rock Merlot Made?

As a dry red wine, it is produced with the usual winemaking process. The grapes are picked from the vines, sorted, destemmed, and crushed. At the winery, they are placed inside large stainless steel vessels, and alcoholic fermentation begins. In the specific case of Red Rock Merlot, fermentation lasted five to ten days at a maximum temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius). Afterwards, the wine has malolactic fermentation to soften the mouthfeel, adding complexity to the aromas and flavors and ensuring stability in the final wine. Red Rock aged on light lees for nine months prior to bottling and then aged for two months in oak barrels before release.

Where Is Red Rock Merlot Made?

Red Rock Winery Merlot wine is made from the Merlot varietal in California, with its celebrated wines and state-of-the-art wineries. Combinations of warm, bright sun and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean are responsible for the creation of a diverse range of wine styles. Furthermore, California is renowned for producing thousands of wines every season, of which some are the greatest examples of American winemaking.

It is also known for introducing a new winemaking style that challenges the European tradition. In California, the emphasis is on the straightforwardness of the wines and the structure. Finally, the perfect Mediterranean climate provides ceaseless warmth and helps the vines to produce grapes with increased flavor concentration. On the other hand, the Atlantic Ocean, with its cooling influences and fog, cools the vines from the intense heat. This diversity allows California to deliver an extensive range of wines of different levels that are immensely honored by worldwide wine enthusiasts.

How to Serve Red Rock Merlot?

If you desire to enjoy Red Rock Merlot, there is only one way. And that is by decanting the wine and serving it at room temperature, approximately 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 18 degrees Celsius). If heavily structured wines get too cold, they will taste thin and harsh, whereas if they reach higher temperatures than recommended, they will rapidly lose their freshness and become muddled, or in other words, a mess. So grab that bottle, uncork it, and pour the ruby liquid into one of your best crystal decanters.

Then please allow the wine to spend time to itself; half an hour would suffice. This time is enough to successfully aerate the wine, helping it to unearth its aromatic intensity and luscious palate. As a dry red wine, Red Rock should be poured into larger-sized wine glasses. Rest assured that the wine will develop even more aromas as long as it stays in the glass offering unparalleled sensations.

How Much Does Red Rock Merlot Cost?

Red Rock Merlot is an extremely budget-friendly wine for its quality and distinctive California character. It is affordable, with Red Rock Merlot price ranging from just $8 to $14 per 750ml bottle, depending on the vendor and vintage. The wine’s low price point should encourage wine enthusiasts to try it as soon as possible. Furthermore, I bet everyone would want to enjoy the wine’s smooth chocolatey, leathery finish. Red Rock Merlot is the perfect every day, weekend, or special occasion wine. It is definitely great to serve at a large convention where many people gather. And at this rock-bottom price, the wine is an absolute steal.

How Long Does Red Rock Merlot Last?

Through controlled maturation, Red Rock Merlot has the potential to evolve its structure even more, despite having aged before bottling. If successfully aged, the wine will develop deep tertiary aromas and flavors, such as game bird, fig, prune, and earth. Consequently, Red Rock Merlot is suitable for long-term storage. The wine should be sealed with a cork and stored in a stable environment with slight humidity and temperatures that do not fluctuate (60 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 to 15 degrees Celsius).

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. Furthermore, the storage environment should be odor-free when storing the wine bottle since the cork allows a small amount of oxygen to come inside to maintain the liquid fresh. And that may affect the structure of the wine and malfunction its aromas and flavors. As a final note, I would recommend storing Red Rock Merlot for a period of no longer than three years because afterward, the wine is bound to start losing its freshness and give way to some unwelcome tertiary flavors.

How Many Calories Does Red Rock Merlot Have?

Red Rock Merlot is a suitable dietary option. 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. Therefore, Red Rock Merlot calories will not drive a dietician nuts, with this delightful wine being a solid dietary choice. Further, Red Rock Merlot alcohol content is 13, 5%, a standard alcoholic concentration for a full-body red.

Conclusion

Red Rock Merlot is a powerful, medium-to-full-bodied, but uniquely fruity Merlot from California State. It has spent a considerate amount on its lees and has aged for two months in oak barrels. Displaying superb aromas of cherry and plum along a few underlying hints of smoke and dried herbs, Red Rock’s aromatic profile is the definition of American rock-and-roll, at least when it comes to wines.

On the mouth further, it is creamy and exhibits flavors of dark berry fruits. The finish is extraordinary and long, with notes of leather and chocolate, showcasing the Merlot character. Red Rock Merlot is a treat of wine, and when you are in confusion about what beverage to bring to the party or what to pair with those juicy grilled steaks at the boys’ barbecue, Red Rock is the safest choice.

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