Flam Winery Classico Merlot Blend 2018

"Odedi"

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Israel. Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. Nose of cherries, blueberries, wood, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, espresso, pencil lead, vegetables, herbs and black pepper. Full bodied and soft with medium plus acidity and long legs. Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, wood, licorice, light vanilla, light vegetables, dark coffee, herbs, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite and black pepper. Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a nice surprise. I've had this wine for the last 4 vintages, and this is the best one yet. Easy drinking with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel. Feels like a blend of new and old world wine. Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up ( 30 minutes). After an hour of airtime, tannins show up. Drinking very nicely already, even by itself. A blend of 36% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 12% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are grown in the Judean Hills at 2,000 feet elevation, and aged for 10 months in oak barrels. Kosher. Not Mevushal. 14% alcohol by volume. 89 points. $35.