2006 Huntington Wine Cellars Homage Merlot - Dutch Henry Reserve
Mission Codename: A Fitting Tribute
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Visit our friends at Huntington Wine Cellars and return with an exclusive allocation of winemaker Kerry Damskey’s Merlot tribute, Homage.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Huntington Wine Cellars
Wine Subject: 2006 Homage Merlot – Dutch Henry Reserve
Backgrounder: Merlot, one of the primary grape varietals from Bordeaux finds an exceptional home in the Napa Valley. To true wine lovers, Merlot is one of the finest wine varietals in the world. Today, Merlot continues to sell in record numbers across the US, outpacing most other varietals. Merlot is a sincere, food-fabulous wine for serious wine drinkers. Today’s wine raises the bar for Napa Merlot, by delivering a delicious, complex, fruit-forward wine with plenty of complexity.
Winemaker: Kerry Damskey
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Beautifully dark garnet with a dense and dark, but clear heart. Along the edges the color remains deep to the meniscus. When swirled, randomly and widely spaced fat, color-stained legs ring the glass.
Smell – Bold and redolent with abundant red and black fruit, including blackberry and raspberry jam, framed by classic Merlot bittersweet chocolate notes. Soft sweet and brown spice adds to the approachable and jammy fruit that greets your first sniff. The addition of soft toasted oak aromas and hints of savory herbs really round out the nose.
Feel – Rich and initially tangy, this dry and full-bodied wine has sturdy but finely grained tannins and vibrant acidity. A textured mineral component adds to the well structured mouthfeel of this wine.
Taste – Ripe and plump raspberry, blackberry, plum and other red and black fruit meld with rich dark and bittersweet chocolate. Sweet spice and brown spice create a homemade berry pie and jammy character that expands over the palate. Other complex flavors of toasted oak, soft earthy notes and cigar box adds complexity.
Finish – Very long with rich and ripe fruit that lasts and lasts. The fruit is framed by the other complex flavors, giving the wine a well-structured and pleasantly textured mouthfeel. As the fruit fades the texture lingers, drying the palate and inviting another sip.
Conclusion – The 2006 Huntington Wine Cellars Homage Merlot – Dutch Henry Reserve is simply a delicious wine with great varietal character, especially with the fruit and chocolate aromas and flavors. Its sturdy and textured mouthfeel will make this wine age well – and pair with food even better. Enjoy this wine tonight with grilled meat or burgers, or cellar for five plus years.
Mission Report:
Winemaker, Kerry Damskey was unavailble for an interview. Please be sure to tune back in, the next time we feature a another great wine by this prolific winemaker.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The approximate location of Huntington Wine Cellarscan be seen in this satellite photo.