COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2023
GRAPE
Merlot
PRODUCER
Dark Horse Wines
REGION
California
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium
Finish
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Dark Horse Wines, a prominent brand under the E. & J. Gallo portfolio, is designed to challenge the quality-to-price ratio of everyday wines. Headquartered in Modesto, California, winemaker Beth Liston leads the sourcing of high-quality grapes from premier grower partners across California's warm Central Valley. The brand focuses on delivering bold, fruit-forward, and highly accessible wines that appeal to modern consumers looking for reliable quality and exceptional value.
ALCOHOL
13.5%
AVG. PRICE
€10
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now
Ideal temperature
15-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Winemaker Beth Liston deliberately crafts Dark Horse wines to outperform their price point through innovative blending.
Fact 02
The grapes are primarily sourced from California's sun-drenched Central Valley, ensuring consistent ripeness.
Fact 03
Dark Horse utilizes cutting-edge cellar technology to maintain a plush, smooth texture across every vintage.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The grapes for this California Merlot are harvested at peak ripeness to ensure maximum color extraction and rich fruit flavors. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with daily pump-overs to manage tannin extraction. To enhance the wine's texture and complexity, a portion of the blend undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged on toasted oak staves, imparting sweet spice notes and a rounded mouthfeel before final blending.
