Tasting - Pinecroft Merlot

Name: Pinecroft - Pinecroft Vinyards - Merlot
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: Livermore and Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $9

Vivino Tasting Notes: Very bold leaning, but smooth compared to tannic, with a mostly dry mouthfeel, and soft flavors in comparison to acidic. Earthy notes described as prominently honey and minerals, with one particular fruity note standing out above the others, cherry. Community reviewers pointed out light minerality on the nose, very fruit forward, with mild to low tannins. Some pointing out overwhelming alcoholic nose, and harsh, smokey flavors as a few of the negatives. - Vivino Comments and Taste Characteristics 

Wine Folly: pg 131 Merlot - Plum, cherry, chocolate, dried herbs, and vanilla, with a full body, and mild acidity, are described as being typical of this style - however, dried herbs and chocolate were no where to be found, or quite buried.
pg 292 California Merlot - Description of increasingly bold cherry flavors, in comparison to Cabernet Sauvignons from the same regions, while also being smoother, with finer tannins. Tannins were a little lacking in this particular example, lending itself more to the 'fruity reds' side of things, with cherry and other red berries taking center stage. The pencil lead and toasted nutmeg described in the book, were no where to be found, or easily overshadowed with luscious berries.

My review: This was not a wine that really blew me away, for the price I expected much more, but in the end what I received was more of a bottle you'd take over to a friend's place to be polite - but in reality you expect to leave it there, and not drink it. I didn't find it to be as harsh as people on Vivino had pointed out, but it was only mildly soft and smooth as the bottle's label described. However, the cherry notes truly ring out - fruity is what this merlot is, like a mouth full of mildly dried out black currants, cherries, and one or two raspberries.

No food was had, while tasting this wine - just a glass, and some good music.