Firestone Vineyard

Santa Ynez Valley Merlot

8.793 ratings
8.83 pro ratings
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

8.8

Surprisingly good Merlot for $6 at gross out.

Surprisingly good Merlot for $6 at gross out.

Jun 15th, 2019
Zachary Price

Picked up this one at Albertsons on a lark and popped it a week ago. Firestone winery was the first estate winery on the now famous Foxen Canyon Trail, established in 1972. The Santa Ynez Valley offers gravelly loam with rocky subsoils that impart great mineralty and distinct finishes. You can drink this one now if you find it, but it should drink well for the next couple of years. Decant for a hour to enjoy it fully. ~$20 | #firestone #merlot #santaynezvalley

On the eyes: Opaque, Deep Rusty Ruby with Med Stained Tears. No Gas, Evidence of Tartaric Crystals.

On the nose: Very Heady Aromas of Big Stewed Cherry with Tobacco and Smoke, American Oak, Med Alcohol.

On the tongue: Med Acid, Med+ Alcohol, Med+ Tannin, Ripe Cherry and Mulberry rounded out with Cola, Tobacco, and Oak. Med+ Body, Med Complexity and Good Finish.

Picked up this one at Albertsons on a lark and popped it a week ago. Firestone winery was the first estate winery on the now famous Foxen Canyon Trail, established in 1972. The Santa Ynez Valley offers gravelly loam with rocky subsoils that impart great mineralty and distinct finishes. You can drink this one now if you find it, but it should drink well for the next couple of years. Decant for a hour to enjoy it fully. ~$20 | #firestone #merlot #santaynezvalley

On the eyes: Opaque, Deep Rusty Ruby with Med Stained Tears. No Gas, Evidence of Tartaric Crystals.

On the nose: Very Heady Aromas of Big Stewed Cherry with Tobacco and Smoke, American Oak, Med Alcohol.

On the tongue: Med Acid, Med+ Alcohol, Med+ Tannin, Ripe Cherry and Mulberry rounded out with Cola, Tobacco, and Oak. Med+ Body, Med Complexity and Good Finish.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 26th, 2015
Rachel Johns

Awesome!! Smooth & velvety

Awesome!! Smooth & velvety

1 person found it helpfulJan 12th, 2015
Mike Tabolsky

Great taste for the money....not usually a Merlot drinker. Firestone does Merlot well ;)

Great taste for the money....not usually a Merlot drinker. Firestone does Merlot well ;)

1 person found it helpfulJan 16th, 2014
Nik Weinberg-Lynn

Stewed fruits and pie on the nose. Nice mix of leather and fruit. Decent texture.

Stewed fruits and pie on the nose. Nice mix of leather and fruit. Decent texture.

Aug 4th, 2019
Robert Komoto

Cherry, some tannin, cassis, dark notes. Very good.

Cherry, some tannin, cassis, dark notes. Very good.

Jun 26th, 2019
Andrew Olsen

🤷🏼‍♂️

🤷🏼‍♂️

Oct 31st, 2018
Alberto

A savory nose of roasted red pepper and marinated black olives makes this wine from the Santa Ynez Valley’s first estate winery stand out from the crowd. There are green elements that some may consider unwanted, but the round, peppery spiciness makes for an intriguing, distinctive palate. This would go well with a New York strip and could stand up to prime rib with horseradish.

A savory nose of roasted red pepper and marinated black olives makes this wine from the Santa Ynez Valley’s first estate winery stand out from the crowd. There are green elements that some may consider unwanted, but the round, peppery spiciness makes for an intriguing, distinctive palate. This would go well with a New York strip and could stand up to prime rib with horseradish.

Jun 14th, 2018
Chris B.

Solid Merlot. Not as good as their Chairman’s series but pretty damn tasty. Dark ruby color, allspice aromas, bourbon vanilla taste - too hot but still, what’s not to like?

Solid Merlot. Not as good as their Chairman’s series but pretty damn tasty. Dark ruby color, allspice aromas, bourbon vanilla taste - too hot but still, what’s not to like?

Apr 9th, 2018
Annette Chase

Lovely gift from a friend.

Lovely gift from a friend.

Aug 8th, 2017