2004 Besson Vineyard Merlot

This Merlot comes from a small vineyard right at the eastern foot of Mount Madonna, where the Besson family has been growing grapes since 1924. Their three generations of experience in growing wine grapes came in handy in 2004, when a cool summer required a very long hang time to fully ripen the fruit.  In the end, after all the time, attention and patience, we were rewarded with an excellent vintage.  The 2004 Besson Merlot is bursting with fruit, full and rich, balanced by a good tannin structure.  The nose is powerful and concentrated, a solid slap of dark cherry and dark forest fruit with a hint of cinnamon.  The flavors live up to the promise, delivering an abundance of rich dark fruit with a little side zing of cherry marzipan.  The finish is complex and lingering, with Dutch cocoa and coffee hints on the tail.  Along with the thick fruit and rich flavor, this wine has good mouthfeel, solid smooth tannin and good acid balance.  It’s drinking well right now and will improve for another 3 to 5 years in the bottle.  Goes well with foods like steak, short ribs or venison; but I prefer it by itself, poured deep in a large glass, with a good book and classical music in the background.