Salmon Creek Cellars Merlot 2008 Reviewed

Inexpensive Merlot from Bronco Wine Company's budget label is drinkable but lacks complexity.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Wine writer Randy Fuller reviews a 2008 Merlot from Salmon Creek Cellars, one of the many budget wine labels under the Bronco Wine Company umbrella. While the wine is inoffensive and drinkable, especially for summer or sangria, Fuller notes it lacks the complexity and acidity to be considered a truly impressive wine for dinner parties or special occasions.

Why it matters

Bronco Wine Company, led by Fred Franzia, is known for producing a vast array of low-cost, high-volume wine brands that are ubiquitous in restaurants and stores. This review provides insight into the quality and character of one of Bronco's budget Merlot offerings, which can help consumers understand what to expect from this producer's more affordable wine selections.

The details

The 2008 Salmon Creek Cellars Merlot is described as having a medium ruby red color, a pleasant nose of ripe cherries and blackberries with a hint of smoke, and flavors of cherry, red plums, and clove. However, the wine is noted to have underwhelming tannins, a "fake-candy sort of quality", and a lack of acidity that makes it less food-friendly. At only 12.5% ABV, it is a relatively low-alcohol wine. The grapes are sourced from Sonoma County.

  • The wine was gifted to the reviewer by the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas.

The players

Salmon Creek Cellars

One of the approximately 60 wine labels under the Bronco Wine Company umbrella, known for producing affordable, high-volume wines.

Fred Franzia

The CEO of Bronco Wine Company, which owns the Salmon Creek Cellars label.

Randy Fuller

A wine writer who reviewed the 2008 Salmon Creek Cellars Merlot.

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What they’re saying

“I can't say this is a good wine, but it's really not a bad wine, either. That depends a lot on your point of view, though. In much the same way that Budweiser beer is drinkable, but not something to get excited about, so this Salmon Creek Merlot is nothing to cause you to pen a letter to the folks back home.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine Writer (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

This review highlights how Bronco Wine Company's budget wine labels, like Salmon Creek Cellars, can provide an inexpensive and drinkable but unremarkable wine experience, suitable for casual summer drinking or mixing into sangria, but lacking the complexity and acidity to be considered a truly impressive wine for more formal occasions.