Vintner's Reserve Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, beef stew
✨ Technical Specifications
Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve Merlot is a benchmark expression of California's coastal terroirs, crafted to showcase the rich, round fruit character that made the variety a household name. Sourced from cool, mountain, and hillside vineyards across Sonoma, Monterey, and Mendocino counties, the grapes benefit from the dramatic diurnal temperature shifts and marine breezes characteristic of these regions. This climate allows the Merlot grapes to ripen slowly, developing deep black cherry and plum flavors while retaining vibrant natural acidity. The wine is traditionally fermented and aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, which integrates subtle notes of vanilla, baking spice, and cocoa into the plush, velvety tannin structure.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1982 by visionary entrepreneur Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson emerged as a cornerstone of modern American winemaking with the debut of its iconic 1982 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay. Headquartered in Santa Rosa within Sonoma County, the family-owned estate champions cool-climate, coastal vineyard sites across California's premier winegrowing regions. Guided by an uncompromising dedication to sustainable farming, artisanal small-batch fermentation, and tailored French and American oak aging, the winery captures rich complexity and approachable elegance. Beyond its world-famous Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson produces highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and terroir-expressive Grand Reserve collections that highlight the diversity of California's coastal terroir.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Merlot
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5-14.5%