While whites have done better than reds from Utah, perhaps the single varietal from Castle Creek Merlot can do better than the Monument Red blend.

Sight:  A moderate red with brickish hues throughout.

Smell:  Plum and blackberry hide out behind some greener notes of herbs and menthol. There’s a dustiness present as well, mixed with dried cherries.

Sip:  Bright from the word go, it pulls in flavors of cherries, cranberries, and currants.  The fruits are primarily red, and on the less ripe side, leaving a lighter impression of the body. Some of the herbs and dust pull in, and drag it more and more away from the fruit notes into the stems and herbs.

Savor:  The finish lasts for a moderate period, and is mildly tannic, with hints of cranberries and currants.

Castle Creek Merlot is rather stemmy, and not particularly smooth for a merlot.  This isn’t to say it’s bad, but it’s easily outplayed by a number of merlots from either coast (New York for lean, California for fruit forward). Sure, it’s fun to try to say you’ve had a Utah single varietal red, but not fun enough to  go out of your way for.

Verdict:  Cranberry, Currant, Cherry, Stemmy, Lean
Rating: 61
Price: $14
Moab, Utah