Merlot- Why Such a Bad Rap?

Merlot- Why Such a Bad Rap? – Episode #171

January 22, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

Sideways has had an impact on the Merlot wine market, today Gary tastes the 4 top selling Merlot in the shop for the month of January.

148 Responses

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June 11, 2009

Kell Brigan
I read in an interview that in Sideways the Chevel Blanc (a blend of merlot & cab franc) was included specifically as an insider joke for vinophiles. And, it kind of shows that the main character is a bit of a phony (albeit, still a nice guy) in terms of his wine knowledge. So, the bashing of merlot and cab franc had nothing to do with their actual quality. (Ah, but isn’t the history of wine full of such stories? Personally, I find myself lusting for a Sophia rose solely because they wrap it in pink tulle. Have no idea what it tastes like, but the bottle makes me feel pretty.)
May 29, 2009

Phredd
I’ve never really liked merlot, since I first began to enjoy wines. Not sure why. It just seems kind of flat for me compared to the many other interesing varietals out there. There must be one out there I would like. I’ll keep looking….
April 22, 2009

rap
no bad…
April 2, 2009

monden
I have two favorite merlot: one that is quite inexpensive, and one a little bit pricier. The first is the spanish merlot Torres Atrium, 15$ can. wich translates to 12,50$ us. Amazing fruit, espacially if lightely chilled. The second one is 25$ can. so i guess about 20$ us and it’s the Vistorta from Italian producer Brandolini. I have to mention for the record that these prices include taxes in canadian dollars, so it makes it even more interesting. Our tax is 13%.

I thought it would be interesting to mention 2 countrys that are not known for their merlot production. The italian merlot is an amazing italian food wine. The first one is a great summer wine.
April 6, 2008

Grif
Iâ€™ve been working my way from episode #1 forward. This was the first time you did a wine that I had in my collection. Itâ€™s the 2004 Trinchero Family Merlot. My palate needs educating so I tried to learn from this. Normally when I open a bottle I pour some into a glass to bring the level down to the wider part of the bottle exposing a larger surface area to the air. But to get the same experience as you I followed your procedure which in this case was only about 2 hours through the neck of the bottle exposing a sub-dime size surface area of wine. I wish I could detect the flavors you can. We did both like the wine. I found with more breathing that the oak monster came out to play. This was fine with me, I love the oak monster.
June 10, 2007

kd
OMG….did he say rotten cardboard with a fruit salad on top!! That was hilarious! I have to say if you want a decent merlot….go to the 15-20$ range. The Blackstone Napa Valley Merlot is so much better, you would hardly know it was the same winery. It’s about $17 a bottle.

Although, my favorite merlot of late is the Summerland Santa Barbara county merlot $16. It’s a softer merlot, so it’s an excellent drinking wine. Not my favorite with food, but it has its moments. And it’s 100% merlot, so you dont get that spicy note from the Shiraz.
March 6, 2007

Malarkey
Regusci Merlot, from the Napa Valley, definitely a fruit bomb, and not cheap at 45 “bones” But I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
March 5, 2007

TR
Glad to see that I’m not the only one who “got” the Cheval Blanc irony from the Sideways movie. Though it is only @45% Merlot and 55% Cab Franc depending on vintage. QOTD If you can find it Prieure Lalande (lussac-St. Emilion) @$17 ‘00 vntg. is a fantastic value. The 65% Merlot 25% Cab Franc 10% Cab Savgn ratio gives complexity, chewiness, balance and a long finish you’d expect in a $50+ wine.
March 1, 2007

Jtk
QOTD: Hi Gary, I’m not a huge fan of merlots in general either. My Favorite merlot that I’ve drunk 3 of in the past year is the 2002 J Lohr Winery Merlot Los Osos Merlot. Most of the cheaper merlot I’ve had gives me a headache after a couple of glasses. This one didn’t, so i like it. Cheers ~ Jtk
February 17, 2007

YOUNG
duckhorn merlot
Shafer merlot
February 1, 2007

Neil
I recently enjoyed a Cuvaison Carneros Merlot. Balanced and had a nice acidity. Went well with dinner. I’d buy it again.
January 31, 2007

Uncle Josh
QoD: I’ve been 2003 Columbia Crest Grand Estates. $8 and very drinkable.
January 30, 2007

Miguelo DiMarco
I always find it hard to believe that Rex-Goliath doesn’t top the budget sales for all their respective varieties. Are the people not trying it? I’m patiently waiting for their Syrah to become widely distributed.

I’m still drinking Merlot in the supporting role only. ((looking forward to the Lamborghini Campoleone I’ve purchased)) — What can I say – I like Malbec and Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) in dubious amounts as I wish to ’spend’ my liver on ~structure~

FYI – I was a Merlot basher before Sideways; the female wine newbies definitely like it, but if I’m buying, there are better options to put on the table that they (and I) will go for.
January 27, 2007

Vinacull
JW (Post 67): I agree with Joe (post 76) regarding the Matanzas Creek. In the early to mid 1990’s (esp. 92) they did spectacular Merlot. Since they sold (’96 or 97, not sure) the quality has been VG range and the price came down to around the high 20’s range. In short, drink up! QOTD: Years before Sideways we fell away from Merlots because it always seemed that to get something more complex than just cherries and choclate one had to spend 25 to 45 bucks. I think the last merlot we had was in a tasting last year, a ‘99 Newton Epic, which was excellent but was about $50. Otherwise we more often drink Merlot in the context of a special occasion meritage, like Viadur.
January 24, 2007

Peter
Great episode,

Very funny, cheap merlot is cheap for a reason. I am sorry I don’t have a pick for a good cheap merlot, perhaps a good cab/merlot blend from Australia from Dan Phillips or Mollydooker?

Peter
January 24, 2007

Colin
QOTD….I will support comment #101 by thomas korent. The best Merlot I’ve had lately was a Tinhorn Creek ‘02 Merlot out of British Columbia. Great forward berry flavours and nose with a huge finish. I was quite impressed. Based on my experiences with Merlot it looks like Washington and British Columbia do some decent QPR Merlots. Oh yeah, if any other fellow Canadian winos out there are interested check out Jancis Robinson’s recent Canadian wine tastings…very impressive.
January 24, 2007

CollegeFootballisNumberOne
Gary,

I’m surprised that you have not featured Marques de Casa Concha Merlot from Concha y Toro $12-15. The 2001 has held up well in short term cellaring featuring both Bordeaux like qualities of earth, tobacco, and an impressive new world cherry liquer-like fruit quality. 2003 recently tasted and was really impressed, you’ll see where this is going…”Nice dark, dark color…”

This is an impressive series–keep up the good work.
January 24, 2007

Justmarsh
I’m surprised you didn’t taste the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot. That’s in the same price range and got 90 points from Spectator. I like the concentration and jammy-ness of it, but it feels like it lacks structure. Not too bad for 10 bucks though.
January 24, 2007

dadobs
QOTD: Ditto on BigMC’s comment #73 about ‘02 (and previous vintage) Pride and ‘03 Corte Riva. Anyone tried Duckhorn lately? Mentioning these reminds me of a question someone else once asked: why don’t more wineries make (really) good merlot in the $20-40 range? It seems like the market goes right from crappy (dirty cardboard) $10 merlot directly to the (often great) $50+ range. Any insights, Gary?

Btw, the 2002 Charles Creek Merlot Miradero you pimped really is a solid bottle and easily worth twice the money. The Charles Creek people (of John Deere fame!) hopefully feel like they owe you a favor next year given all the favorable pub you’ve given them.

Again a little too late to make the top 10(0)…damn….

p.s. my brother from Minnesota wants WineLibrary to know that his state recently saw the light and has modernized their wine shipping laws (hint to the shipping dept.)….
January 23, 2007

Shotgun
QOD– Finally got to taste a Paloma Merlot (2003). Awesome. Not exactly your everyday wine though. Many of its Spring Mountain neighbors do well with merlot, and I have noticed a lot of comments about Pride, Keenan and the like. I agree. The Provenance merlots are pretty good and not horribly expensive.
January 23, 2007

Claudio
Merlot drank recently?

2000 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot – very nice stuff.

Cheers!

Claudio
January 23, 2007

NickG
QOTD:
Current favorite merlot – 2003 Chateau Haut-Ballet Canon-Fronsac. Outstanding and a great value at $20.
January 23, 2007

Capt M
Wil Neverspit – Montes Alpha is very respectable, I agree
January 23, 2007

JayZee
QOD: I love most Washington State Merlots. I think they kick Cali Merlot’s butt big time. My favorite right now is Bookwalter Merlot, but I also really like Januik and Boudreaux Cellars as well as some of the less expensive like Chateau St. Michelle, Columbia Crest and Sagelands.
January 23, 2007

Spitfire
Man,Merlot, how thee star has fallen. Anyway, my first try at Merlot was a bottle of Turning Leaf…….yes, I swore it off. Hey, it one of my first bottles of wine. Now, I do like the Columbia Crest, but its a little over $10 here.

- Ben Lee on the MS Gulf Coast