Marichal Premium Varietal Merlot 2009 TECHNICAL DATA                       Grape variety: 100% Merlot Variety characteristics: It is a red wine grape that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. Merlot-based wines usually have medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant. The name comes from the French regional patois word "merlot", which means "young blackbird" ("merle" is the French word for several kinds of thrushes, including blackbirds); the naming came either because of the grape's beautiful dark-blue color, or due to blackbirds' fondness for grapes. Location of our vineyards: Etchevarría, Canelones, Uruguay, located just 25 km away from the Rio de la Plata. Soil: Calcareous and permeable undulating fields. Harvest-Date: Early March Harvest: Manually collected in 18 kg boxes. Fermentation: 12 days Malolactic Fermentation: Yes. Oak ageing: No. Description: We express in this 100 % Merlot the potential of our land, obtaining a well balanced wine, of elegant and harmonious flavours. It is a smooth and intense wine. Recommended Serving Temperature: 16ºC and 18ºC. Juan Andrés  &  Alejandro Marichal Winemakers      Awards and Reviews 2009 -  “Un gran compañero de unos canapés de salmón ahumado marinado en hierbas frescas y queso cremoso.” Daniel Arraspide  - Vinos y bebidas en el Portal Uruguay 2010 http://blogs.montevideo.com.uy/blognoticia_41864_1.html