A single glass of this 2022 Monarch Glen Merlot will leave you floating like a butterfly. Juicy red and black cherries breathe life into this mouthwatering Merlot. Violet petals bring a burst of fragrance while hints of oak in the form of walnut and caramel infuse natural nuttiness into the sipping experience. Vigorous tannins round out a truly full-bodied Californian red wine, garnering this Merlot the Silver Medal award in the 2022 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition. Merlot served as little more than a primary blending grape in Bordeaux red blends for hundreds of years. Indeed, Merlot roughly translates to “little blackbird,” owing to its oft-overlooked profile. That is until this little black grape experienced a renaissance in appreciation in the 20th century. It’s no wonder, as this fruit-forward and silky varietal often match Cabernet Sauvignon for flavor without the quintessential red’s extra-bold tannic structure. We recommend serving this Californian Merlot just below room temperature with exquisite culinary company. Think spicy beef and broccoli chow mein, pork tenderloin, or a creamy white cheddar chili.