Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot

Merlot has traditionally been used to blend softness and richness into Cabernet blends, but now has become one of the most popular red wines from California. The 1999 Francis Coppola Diamond Series Blue Label Merlot is generous and opulent. It is made with small amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon to add personality and lifting aromatics. The Merlot is aged in new to three-year-old French oak barrels for eight months. Aromas of berries and blackberry pie from the fruit stand out in the nose that integrate with the stylish toasty quality from the oak. On the palate, the identifiable raspberry and dense blue, jammy fruit flavors combine with the wines elegant structure to support the stylish and lengthy finish. The 1999 Diamond Series Merlot is extremely inviting with great richness and appeal; it is drinkable now or can be laid down for two to five years.