The last posts of the first era of ‘Wines in a Can’ were going up as the first grapes were being planted for Cunningham Creek down in Palmyra, VA. That’s irrelevant to the quality of this merlot, which I really enjoyed — it’s smooth, flavorful, and – if not for the cost (I’m a cheapskate; see here) – something I’d open any night of the week and be a happier man for it.
I feel like merlots can be anything you (or a winemaker) want them to be, which makes their highs that much higher and their lows that much lower relative to other grapes. This is one of the better ones I’ve had in ages. I get blackberry, blueberry, and an almost chocolaty texture — but light. Not the color: it’s a deep burgundy. A good tooth stainer (kidding, here’s how to fix that).
A different Cunningham Creek wine – its “Herd Dog Red 2017†– was a VA Governor’s Gold Cup medalist last year. If the merlot was this good, I can’t wait to try more.
The last time we opened and shared anything about a merlot on this site was … 2012. And that was Bobby, not me, I don’t have anything against merlot like Miles Raymond — I just rarely find one I enjoy drinking regularly at a price point I feel like paying regularly. But the wonderful people at the VA Wine Club included this one in a recent shipment — which means I really won out here, because this is a terrific bottle and well worth the monthly dues on its own.
Find Cunningham Creek on Facebook and Instagram. And find their wine in your cupboard / wine tower / wine fridge / cellar if you’re doing really well for yourself.
- Would I get it again? Yes, if looking for a merlot.
- Would I drink it if someone gave it to me? Definitely.
- Would I drink more than one? Drank half the bottle on night one, the other on night two.
- Would I recommend you try it? I do!
- Good while __: convincing snobby friends to drink merlot.
Cunningham Creek Merlot
2017
Palmyra, VA
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