The Path Merlot (2020)
C. Mondavi & Family / California, USA
Dark ruby with a warm garnet rim in the glass. The nose is soft, warm, and inviting, bursting with aromas of black cherries, ripe black plums, vanilla bean, mocha, and a light touch of toasted oak. Medium-to-full-bodied on the palate, featuring lush, sweet-fruited entry, velvety tannins, low acidity, and a long, warm, cocoa-dusted finish.
⭐⭐ (Sits around 13.5% to 14% ABV. The ripe, sunny California fruit profile and subtle oak aging make it exceptionally velvety on the palate, but its rich fruit concentration warrants drinking with a good meal).
M&S gastropub steak and ale pie, grilled pork chops, cheddar cheeseburgers, or roasted root vegetables.
When you're in a country without vineyards, you're at the mercy of the local Marks and Spencer—and sometimes that means reaching for a splash of Golden State sunshine. California Merlot gets a lot of flak for being soft, but when you just want a rich, velvety glass of red that coats your mouth without any astringent tannic bite, this bottle lands right on target. It’s packed with plush black cherry, dark plum, and cozy vanilla-oak notes. Uncomplicated, deeply comforting, and an absolute treat when the weather outside is thoroughly miserable.