Walla Walla, Washington makes me so excited ever since The Manhattan Project Cabernet Sauvignon.  When I saw The Fresh Market has similarly priced Cabs, Merlots, and Chardonnays for around the same price, I leapt at the possibility.  Especially since the track record of Merlots on First Pour Wine has been questionable at best.  Can The Fresh Market 2010 Christmas Traditions Merlot start a new tradition, or is it just a one off?  

Sight:  A moderate shade of red, but slightly too light, almost on the deep end for a Pinot Noir.

Smell:  The smell is young, but blackberries are predominate, but cherries and spice are in the background.

Sip:  The flavor is bright and young, too much so, but it has the start of dark fruits and cherries, with a hint of black pepper.  The mouth feel is thin and watery.

Savor:  It disappears quickly, with minor blueberries.

Overall,  The Fresh Market 2010 Christmas Traditions Merlot doesn’t deliver really.  It’s just too young, it has that greenish note and a lack of depth.  Getting older doesn’t seem like it’ll help much since there don’t seem to be many layers of flavor below the acidity.  Skip it for one of the dependable Australians, or better yet, The Manhattan Project Cabernet Sauvignon.

Verdict: Acidic and premature
Price:  $8.99
Walla Walla, Washington