Deep ruby-garnet color; black cherry, blueberry, plum, cranberry, vanilla, chocolate, pepper on the nose and palate.
Dry; supple tannins; excellent balancing acidity (3.47 pH; 6.4 TA). Medium body; soft, smooth, velvety in the mouth. Grapes sustainably farmed—a Benziger hallmark for more than three decades. Primarily harvested from the winery’s San Lucas Vineyard in Monterey County, some fruit from other certified sustainable vineyards in California. Cold soaked for complexity and fruit emphasis. Fermented in stainless steel with pump overs. Fermentation lengths and temperatures varied according to vineyard blocks. Aged six months in French and American oak. Lisa Amaroli is the winemaker. 14.5% ABV
All Benziger wines are made with grapes harvested from certified sustainable vineyards. The winery notes: “Our sustainable philosophy promotes natural vineyard management, restoration of the land and biodiversity on the estate. We believe these practices result in wines that reflect the authentic flavors, aromas and character of the vineyard.”
Mike Benziger and his wife, Mary arrived in Northern California in 1973 to start their wine adventure. Mike and his father, Bruno, purchased the historic Wegener Rancho on Sonoma Mountain in 1980. Benziger Sonoma Mountain Estate transitioned from conventional farming to biodynamic in 1995 and was officially certified in 2000. In 2006, all Benziger wines were certified as sustainable, organic, and biodynamic. In 2015, Mike retired as winemaker and was replaced by Lisa Amaroli. Benziger’s son Chris is the winery’s brand ambassador and vice president.
The Benzigers sold their wine operation to The Wine Group, one of the world’s largest producers, in 2015. The Wine Group is best known for supermarket wines Almaden and Cupcake, but the Benziger winery wisely has been left alone to produce its eco-friendly product. That is a nice trend among several giant wine groups—acquire a winery that is doing well, then allow them to continue doing what they are doing well while providing the marketing and distribution clout needed for ongoing success. That something of a “duh” assertion. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Why not encourage and enhance rather than change? So far, so good with Benziger Family Winery.
Benziger Family Winery Merlot 2022 is classic smooth, supple, lush California merlot. Fruit forward with emphasis on varietal purity. Food-friendly everyday merlot. Elegant and approachable. Delivers impressive value. Eco-friendly, all grapes from certified sustainable vineyards. $16-20
Pairing—Pan-seared duck with fruit-based sauce (plum, cherry, or pomegranate reduction) is classic. Pork tenderloin is another classic, season with rosemary, garlic, herbs with sauce of merlot reduced with blackberry jam or fresh cherries. With its subdued tannins, this will not work as well with fatty beef, but will work with roast beef with mushrooms. Herb-crusted lamb with rosemary, thyme, garlic. Roast chicken, coq au vin. Mushroom risotto, mushroom-based pasta dishes. Cheese—Cheddar is classic; medium to aged gouda; gorgonzola; brie, camembert; young manchego, pecorino; gruyère, parmesan, havarti, asiago; fresh goat cheese. Avoid bold flavors and intense aromatics.
Benziger Family Winery website
