Praise for Our Merlots

Departures, the exclusive magazine of American Express Platinum card-holders, included two Wölffer wines in a roundup of "8 Long Island Merlots to Drink This Fall."About our Christian’s Cuvee Merlot 2010, reviewer Ted Loos writes, "There is something quite classical and symmetrical in this wine; the nose, taste and the finish follow each other to a T, with a bit of spice rounding out the strawberry jam flavors. Its balanced persona pairs well with any hearty dish, from mushroom pasta to roasted pork."And The Grapes of Roth Merlot 2008 by Wölffer Estate Vineyard, he says, is "expansive, hearty and ready for anything, this Merlot is stuffed with gamy cherry and ripe plum flavors. But don’t let its burly body fool you: It’s got brawn and brains, with a sophisticated finish that lasts on the palate." "Long Island has been emerging as a serious wine growing region since the 1990s," Loos writes, "but the past few years in particular have been stellar for Long Island Merlots. Keep an eye out for 2013 vintages when they hit the shelves, and in the meantime, stock up on our eight favorite bottles available now—all perfect for pairing with the rich, hearty foods we start to crave at the change of seasons."Read the full story.