What Kind of Wine Is Woodbridge Merlot?
Woodbridge Merlot is an irresistible Californian dry red wine that combines fruitiness and chocolate in previously unthinkable ways. The wine is crafted from the Merlot grape variety, which is popular for giving light and refreshing reds. The varietal is sourced from vineyards in Lodi, a major center of wine production in California.
The Mediterranean climate of the region shower Lodi vines with warmth to produce rich and tasty wines. Successful Merlot examples from California expect to showcase aromas of red and black fruits, such as cherries, blackberries, plums, and vanilla spice, as well as creamy flavors of chocolate and mocha. And contrary to wines produced in other parts of the world, Californian wines preserve their enjoyable fruitiness to the end.
Woodbridge Robert Mondavi Merlot Review
- Winery — Woodbridge – Robert Mondavi
- Country/Region — United States, Lodi, California
- Type — Californian Merlot
- Aroma — Red Cherries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Mocha, Cocoa, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Red Currants, Black Cherries, Chocolate, Marshmallow, Cinnamon Spice, Charred Oak
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Grilled Rib Eye, Beef Stroganoff, Bolognese, Tomato Veal Scallopini, Napolitana
Woodbridge Merlot is the embodiment of California winemaking and a fantastic, everyday wine. The Merlot grape used in its production is sourced from fine vineyards in Lodi, Central Valley and display all of its expected structural characteristics. It manages, in other words, to stay true to its varietal composition.
Every sip from Woodbridge Merlot is exceptional, with aromas of bright cherries and flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and cinnamon spice. In conclusion, this vibrant wine is approachable and warm, and a remarkable and immersive wine experience that cannot compare to any other. So go ahead and buy it. Now!
Tasting Notes
For starters, Woodbridge Merlot has an attractive ruby color that captures everyone’s attention. In the nose, enthusiastic aromas of cherries and raspberries with notes of roasted mocha and vanilla spice surface as soon as the bottle uncorks. While a happy dance of dark fruits characterize the palate. The velvety tannins give the necessary complexity to the wine, with all that euphoria taking place under a chocolate drizzle. As such, with these irresistible layers of aromas and flavors and genuine Californian nature, Woodbridge illustrates that wines made entirely from Merlot can be as refreshing and sophisticated as the most critically acclaimed reds.
Appearance
Woodbridge Merlot has a semi-opaque ruby color, just like ripe cherries, with a center that goes out and transforms into a deep crimson. That appearance is a wonderful representation of California warmth and sunny sky, where intense sunlight enabled the Merlot grape to increase its color concentration, giving a wine that looks as elegant and enticing.
Aroma
From the moment the bottle is uncorked, Woodbridge Merlot displays rich aromas of cherries and raspberries. A few swirls later, subsequent aromas of cocoa and cinnamon spice emerge, complementing the distinctive nose. Therefore, Woodbridge Merlot’s aromatic profile is appealing and unforgettable.
Taste
A blend of ripe dark fruits such as blackberries and cherries, with notes from marshmallow, toasted mocha, and oak define Woodbridge Merlot’s smooth palette. After a short while, the second layer of flavors emerges with cherry cola, burnt sugar, and cinnamon spice that dominate the mouth. Eventually, well-balanced acidity and beautifully integrated tannins create complexity and structure. The wine is medium-to-full-bodied, with an appeal that will make wine enthusiasts eager to keep drinking.
Finish
Woodbridge Merlot finish is as satisfactory and certainly as lingering as you would expect from a wine of its range. It is medium dry but gets the job done without too much fussing. The straightforward fruitiness and the melting chocolate flavors are present, while notes of smoke dance along happily. Woodbridge Merlot has a finish that is both refreshing and delicious, and for that, the wine deserves praise.
Rating
My review of Woodbridge Merlot has reiterated that the wine is a fantastic example of passionate Californian winemaking. Woodbridge wine upholds all those essential structural components that distinguish the good Merlots from the great ones, such as an intense aromatic profile full of cherry goodness, chocolate-infested flavors, silky tannins, and a sincere toasty finish. Graciously therefore this wine belongs to the second category and does everything right. Instead, Woodbridge Merlot is set to make wine enthusiasts love its invigorating fruitiness with their very souls.
Woodbridge Merlot Food Pairing
Woodbridge Merlot wine makes a vigorous companion to beef-based plates such as beef stroganoff. It also pairs well with grilled rib eye, and therefore the wine is perfect for a fun Sunday barbecue. Remember to tenderize the meat to help it become juicier. Woodbridge Merlot goes extremely well with tomato dishes and vegetable ingredients too. Tomato veal scaloppini or a hearty Italian pasta with Bolognese or Napolitano sauce would elevate the wine’s cherry aromatic profile and flavors. Light some candles, set up the table, cook your favorite pasta with beef and tomato (or takeaway, I do not judge), and pour a glass of Woodbridge Merlot on a Sunday evening. Now sit back and relax for the tough week that is about to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Woodbridge Merlot?
The wine is produced at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. In 1966 Mondavi founded the iconic Robert Mondavi Winery near Oakville, California. That was the first major winery built in Napa Valley since the 1930s Alcohol Prohibition. And after the success of this winery, Robert Mondavi pursued his vision of producing delicious wines for daily consumption. As he spent his childhood in Lodi, Mondavi decided to acquire a local cooperative of grape growers, convinced that he could grow grapes that could give quality wines at affordable prices.
How Is Woodbridge Merlot Made?
As a dry red wine, Woodbridge is produced with the standard winemaking process. After picking the grapes, they are sorted, destemmed, and crushed. At the winery, they are placed inside large stainless steel vessels, and alcoholic fermentation begins. The temperature increases to ensure the extraction of color, flavor, and tannins from the fermented grapes. Later, specialized winemaking techniques take place to shape the wine character. Afterward, the final wine may be fed into oak barrels for aging and then bottled.
Where Is Woodbridge Merlot Made?
Woodbridge is made of Merlot grapes and grown in fine vineyards in Lodi in the Central Valley of California. Lodi has been a respected part of the California wine industry for over one hundred years. It straddles the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys and lies in the middle of the Central Valley. Every day, it benefits from cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay, as it is east of the Sacramento Delta. Furthermore, California is the heart of the American wine industry with its celebrated wines and state-of-the-art wineries. California’s climate is the Mediterranean, with combinations of warm, bright sun and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean. These climatic conditions allow California winemakers to deliver a diverse range of premium wine styles.
How to Serve Woodbridge Merlot?
As a classic Merlot, with its red cherry aromas and melting chocolate flavor, Woodbridge should be served at a standard room temperature (approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 to 18 Celsius). If medium-to-full-bodied reds, get too cold, they taste thin. And if they reach higher temperatures than recommended, they will lose their freshness, flavor and eventually the flavors become muddled.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot should be poured into a larger-sized wine glass to allow the air to come into contact with the surface of the wine and encourage it to release its intense aromatics and flavors. Decanting it would also be an option to consider and the wine will benefit from additional aeration, making it feel even more alive and refreshing.
How Much Does Woodbridge Merlot Cost?
This Californian Merlot is certainly affordable, and therefore everyone can enjoy its fruitiness and Californian warmth without significant cost concerns. Woodbridge Merlot price ranges from a mere $8 to $14 depending on vendor and vintage. With this price point, the wine should be sniffed and savored at least once by wine enthusiasts.
How Long Does Woodbridge Merlot Last?
Robert Mondavi’s Woodbridge Merlot is suitable for long-term storage. And through careful aging, it can evolve its structure by developing aromas of fig, tar, dried blackberry, and earth, as well as flavors of cooked plums, wet leaves, and tobacco. The wine should be sealed and stored in a stable environment with a little humidity and temperatures that do not fluctuate. Direct sunlight or artificial light must be avoided at all costs, as the wine may suffer irreparable damage and become faulty.
Furthermore, the storage environment should be odor-free since when storing wine, its cork allows a small amount of oxygen inside the bottle to maintain the fresh taste. Consequently, if odors are near the storage area, they affect the fragrances and flavors. As a final note, I would not recommend storing Woodbridge Merlot for a period longer than three to four years, as the wine is bound to start losing its freshness and give way to some unwelcome tertiary flavors.
How Many Calories Does Woodbridge Merlot Have?
Woodbridge Merlot has a standard calorie density. There are 24 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage that equates to 156 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is: 0g fats, 0g sodium, 4g total carbohydrates, 0g protein, and 0g total sugars. As such, Woodbridge Merlot calories are as expected from a dry red wine. Further, Woodbridge Merlot alcohol content sits at 13, 5% per 750ml bottle, also quite normal for Merlot wine.
Conclusion
Woodbridge Merlot is the embodiment of California winemaking and a fantastic, everyday wine. The Merlot grape used in its production is sourced from fine vineyards in Lodi, Central Valley and display all of its expected structural characteristics. It manages, in other words, to stay true to its varietal composition. Every sip from Woodbridge Merlot is exceptional, with aromas of bright cherries and flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and cinnamon spice. In conclusion, this vibrant wine is approachable and warm, and a remarkable and immersive wine experience that cannot compare to any other. So go ahead and buy it. Now!
