# Dark Horse Merlot (2023)

- **Producer:** Dark Horse Wines
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €10
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 15–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, blackberry, cherry, blueberry, vanilla, toast, chocolate

## About this wine

Dark Horse Wines, a prominent brand under the E. & J. Gallo portfolio, is designed to challenge the quality-to-price ratio of everyday wines. Headquartered in Modesto, California, winemaker Beth Liston leads the sourcing of high-quality grapes from premier grower partners across California's warm Central Valley. The brand focuses on delivering bold, fruit-forward, and highly accessible wines that appeal to modern consumers looking for reliable quality and exceptional value.

## Interesting facts

- Winemaker Beth Liston deliberately crafts Dark Horse wines to outperform their price point through innovative blending.
- The grapes are primarily sourced from California's sun-drenched Central Valley, ensuring consistent ripeness.
- Dark Horse utilizes cutting-edge cellar technology to maintain a plush, smooth texture across every vintage.

## Food pairing

This California Merlot features plush dark fruit flavors, moderate tannins, and balanced acidity, making it incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with charred or grilled meats, rich tomato-based sauces, and dishes with a touch of sweet-savory balance, like plum or BBQ glaze, which complement the wine's ripe fruit profile.

## Wine making process

The grapes for this California Merlot are harvested at peak ripeness to ensure maximum color extraction and rich fruit flavors. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with daily pump-overs to manage tannin extraction. To enhance the wine's texture and complexity, a portion of the blend undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged on toasted oak staves, imparting sweet spice notes and a rounded mouthfeel before final blending.