Tasting - El Circo Bailarina Merlot

Name: El Circo Bailarina

Variety: Merlot

Region: Carinena

Country: Spain

Year: 2016

Price: $8

Winery Review: The Ballerina, endowed with the virtues of balance, agility and coordination, in the big top he represents a wine born of the choicest Cariñena grapes, in a circus style event full of color, aromas and flavors of plums, ripe fruit and a hint of spice.

My Review: This was my first try with a Merlot. I wasn't a big red wine drinker before this class, so it really hadn't been something I was interested in trying. I thought Merlot was for all the super serious wine drinkers (ha! come to find out it's not). When I first opened the bottle I smelled an oaky wood note. I also smelled sweet black cherries. It was a very clean wine and almost burned my nostrils. Maybe I was inhaling too deep? When I gave it a sip it had a sour yet crisp easy to drink taste. It was light in body and finished with a lemon zing. I didn't try this wine with any food, but it was excellent. Needless to say, I drank the entire bottle.... in one sitting.... by myself......not a great idea, but it was a really good wine. I will definitely buy more of this. It's a good price and tastes good too. I'd like to try it with maybe some grilled chicken or a beef stew. I think it would have a nice compliment to either of those dishes.