Vino: 2017 Viñas Chilenas Rosario Estate Winemaker’s Selection Reserva Merlot

Bodega: Viñas Chilenas
Goods: merlot
Locale: Chile — Central Valley
Booze Factor: 13%
Fare: $3.99
Whereabouts: Trader Joes
Yea or Nay:

Scoop: My dad used to tell people the great thing about Merlot is if you are in a restaurant and don’t have any premonition about what wine to order from the wine list, you can order a Merlot have a pretty good chance it’s going to be a decent and drinkable wine. It may not knock your socks off but it should be decent.

Merlot tends to be very fruit-forward, meaning you get most of the fruitiness at the beginning, and then a nice smooth finish. Vinas Chilenas’ Merlot is no different in that it’s a very drinkable Merlot. It has a hint of oak in the middle and it’s got more fruit than it’s nose lets on to. At $3.99 per bottle at Trader Joes, this one is worth having a bottle or two around. A great wine to take to the neighbors to share with dinner, especially if you are on a budget.

Until next time…