Merlot is one of the most popular red wines, known for its soft, fruity character, balanced acidity, and velvety tannins, which together create a rich and complex flavor. To fully develop its aromas and flavors, aging in oak barrels is essential. Domaine Bessa Valley winery uses a variety of high-quality oak barrels from producers such as Demptos, Allary, Boutes, Surtep, TSO, Radoux, Sylvain, Saury, and Taransaud. Each type of barrel imparts unique characteristics to the wine, contributing to a harmonious aromatic profile in the final product. The barrels used are medium-toast, ensuring that the oak does not overpower the varietal character of the wine but integrates elegantly with it.

This approach by the winery’s experts allows them to craft a blend where the varietal character of Merlot is complemented by subtle nuances of vanilla, smoke, caramel, and dried fruit introduced by the barrels, with none of these elements dominating. Together, they enhance and enrich the classic aromas of the grape variety.

Aromatic Profiles of Barrels Used at Domaine Bessa Valley:

• Bouchard Cooperages (Demptos): These French barrels made from American oak are renowned for their fine and delicate aromas of spices, caramel, vanilla, coconut, and light toasty accents. They are ideal for highlighting the freshness of Merlot’s fruity aromas.
• Allary: Allary barrels are known for their soft tannins and sweet, spicy notes, including nuances of dried fruit, honey, smoke, coffee, and spices.
• Boutes: Boutes barrels are preferred for their diverse toasting intensities and their ability to impart light vanilla and caramel notes, ripe red fruit aromas, delicate floral nuances, and more intense smoky and spicy aromas. These elements combine beautifully with Merlot’s fruity and earthy tones, creating a complex and intriguing aromatic profile.
• TSO, Radoux: These producers offer barrels with varying levels of toast and specific aromas that enrich Merlot’s flavor profile. For example, Radoux barrels are known for their coffee and chocolate notes.
• Sylvain and Saury: These barrels are favored for creating a velvety texture and complexity in Merlot’s structure. They lend the wine warm, creamy aromas of caramel, chocolate, and vanilla. Sylvain barrels contribute earthy and mineral aromas, while Saury barrels emphasize fine and delicate notes that highlight the wine’s fruity and floral elements.
• Taransaud: Taransaud barrels are recognized for their powerful yet elegant notes of toasted oak and spicy accents, providing a structure that allows Merlot to age and develop its flavor richness over time.

Benefits of Using Different Barrels:

Aging in barrels helps soften tannins and develop tertiary aromas such as leather, tobacco, and spices over time. The result is an elegant wine with well-integrated aromas, where the fresh fruity notes of plum and cherry intertwine with delicate nuances of vanilla, chocolate, and lightly toasted spices.

This approach gives Domaine Bessa Valley’s Merlot wines sophistication and depth without allowing oak aromas to dominate.