So I forgot to post Paul’s review of the 2006 Doukenie Merlot which he enjoyed this past Friday evening. In fact, Paul declared it his favorite Merlot of the year, and we’re only in March! Anyway, I trust Paul’s instincts on Merlot. Paul opened this one at least 30 minutes before he poured it, and even then it needed a good swirl. Once the wine began to “open up”, Paul noted a nose of dark fruits and lavender wood. In the mouth, Paul enjoyed darker berries such as black berries and black cherries with licorice at the end; he also found the tannins to be “silky”. Over the course of the evening, we shared the 2006 Doukenie Merlot over Gruyere cheese and baguette and later with sliced beef tenderloin.

Interested in trying the 2006 Doukenie Merlot? Visit the winery located in Loudoun County, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you. In the meantime, our next post will feature two other winery visits from this past weekend: Miracle Valley Vineyards, and Three Fox Vineyards. Stay tuned!