Mile High's Wine of the Week: April 9th
Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2012
Regular Price:
$24.99
Sale Price:
$14.99
Sale End:
4/12/2015
Score:
89 Points Wine Spectator
Here at Mile High we love Merlot! It may not be the most fashionable grape. But we don’t care because, when Merlot done right, it’s the kind of wine that will have you singing its praises from the rooftops. This week we have a glorious, layered Merlot from one of Napa Valley’s classic estates, Markham Vineyards. The 2012 vintage was picture perfect in Napa and this appealing bottling shows why. The nose pops with extravagant notes of vine ripened blackberries, scorched earth, and bittersweet cocoa. On the palate you’ll quickly find that this isn’t one of those wimpy, thin tasting reds. It is dense and expansive with layers of blackcurrant, cassis, espresso, and vanilla. The finish is long and sumptuous with just the right amount of well integrated tannin and nothing that even vaguely resembles a hard edge. Pair this fine effort up with a hearty meal like duck confit sliders with plum sauce or just crack a bottle and sip it all by itself. We think you’ll be impressed by how well it works in either context.
On to the Tasting Notes:
After a couple of rather challenging vintages in Napa everyone was so excited when 2012 turned out to be nearly perfect. Just the right amount of rain fell throughout the growing season. There weren’t any crazy heat spikes. And Autumn was long and mild. This allowed for excellent ripening and flavor development without the resulting wines becoming boozy or overripe. The 2012 Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is a study classic Merlot style. It offers a sleek and seductive nose that is awash with aromas of toasted oak, espresso, and cocoa. It is plush and ripe and polished. The palate delivers the kind of richness and luscious fruit that has made Merlot a top choice for fine wines for centuries now. The Markham bursts with roasted plums, cassis liqueur, blackberry preserves, and toasty oak. It has an excellent texture that is plush and full without being sweet or sappy. The finish offers a touch of food friendly tannin as well as a velvety mocha note that seems to linger almost eternally in between sips. Serve this beauty anytime you want something powerful but not hard or edgy.
Food Pairing:
While the duck confit that I mentioned a couple of paragraphs ago would be lovely with this gorgeous red I know that making it might be a little beyond the scope of what you’d consider for a typical Saturday night supper. So maybe consider something just a touch easier instead. How about keeping the sliders theme but instead of duck confit you could do some grilled duck breasts sprinkled very gently with a mix of chipotle powder, cumin, and sweet Spanish paprika. Once they’re done slice them thin and serve them on some little slider rolls with a drizzle of plum jam that you warmed up in a small saucepan with a dash of Worcestershire sauce, some freshly ground black pepper, and a pat of butter.
You MUST mention this special or print it out to receive the price on the above wine.
This price expires 4/12/2015 at 6pm and is limited to in-store quantities.
No rain checks given. Call (303) 936-0272 to reserve bottles with a credit card.