Merlot le Grand 750ml

The Merlot le Grand 2022 brings the dark, powerful side of Valais into the glass. Ripe fruit, enormous depth and the warmth of the Salgescher sites meet a long maturation in barriques. This is Merlot with emphasis, but not with a sledgehammer. Dense, velvety and generous, with enough freshness and structure, so that strength also becomes elegance.

For this wine, Cave Biber takes a special approach. A part of the grapes remains on the vine longer. By crushing the stems, the supply to the berries is interrupted and they begin to dry out slowly. Water is lost, fruit and ingredients become concentrated. Afterwards, the wine gets time: around 36 months exclusively in new barriques and then further resting in the bottle. This creates a Merlot that does not simply taste riper, but develops a completely own dimension of concentration and depth.

On the nose, it shows ripe plum, black cherry, and dark berries. Additionally, there are the characteristic notes of dried plums and figs for this style. With a bit of air, vanilla, cocoa, dark chocolate, and warm roasted aromas open up behind. A fine spice and hints of tobacco provide additional depth, while the fruit always remains the centre.

On the palate, the Merlot le Grand is dense and concentrated, yet soft and smooth. The ripe dark fruit spreads broadly across the palate, supported by strong, finely integrated tannins. The long barrel aging brings structure, warmth, and a creamy texture, without making the wine taste sweet or heavy. Plum, black cherry, and fig combine with cocoa, vanilla, and fine roasted spice. In the long finish, dark fruit, spice, and a warm, almost chocolatey depth remain.

A Merlot for large pieces of meat and evenings when no one looks at the clock. Beef fillet, ribeye, braised beef, lamb, or game pair just as excellently as mushroom dishes, rich jus, and aged hard cheese. And after the meal, it actually doesn't need any companion. A large glass and some time are completely sufficient.

Serving suggestion: enjoy at around 16 to 18 °C in a large red wine glass. Be sure to give the wine some air. An hour in the decanter allows the fruit, spice, and barrel to play together much better.

Three years in the barrel. A lot of Valais sun before that. And afterwards, the evening can certainly last a little longer.