Under The Radar, Merlot - Episode #407

February 13, 2008

Gary today looks at Merlots from 3 different regions. Is Merlot a wine which people have forgotten about?

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Comments on this episode(411) Leave a comment ›

  • “Hey, Josh in Burgundy, don’t knock it till you’ve tried …” by Oakmon’s BF
  • “I haven’t responded in a while but obviously I need to respond …” by Oakmon’s BF
  • View all 411 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2002 Grapes Of Roth MerlotNew York Merlot play review at cork'd
2003 Chateau Beausejour BecotSt Emilion play review at cork'd
2004 Long Shadows PedestalWashington Red Meritage play review at cork'd

Links mentioned in todays episode.

411 Responses

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  1. about 4 months ago

    Oakmon's BF

    Hey, Josh in Burgundy, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Anybody read “A Melon for Ecstasy” by John Fortune and John Wells? I’m just kidding. I don’t do anything unusual like that. I just have the wife dress up like a tree and use that oak perfume I bought her.

  2. about 4 months ago

    Oakmon's BF

    I haven’t responded in a while but obviously I need to respond to this QOTD. I voting for the Oakmon, dah! Someday I’ll probably have expanded my appreciation of wine flavors enough to back slowly away from the Oakster, but that’s not where I am now. I presently prefer wines where I can taste the oak. I’m up to ep #407. In a couple of weeks I’ll probably be current.

  3. about 5 months ago

    MtnCharlie

    That was great how you went off on the Oak Monster! The B.A.G. taking out the other wine glass was classic too. I saw that coming.

    QOTD: I like the Oak Monster to come for tea, but not stay for dinner.

  4. about 6 months ago

    Elliot Essman

    The oak is supposed to help the wine, not drown it. If it qualifies as a monster, I am against it. But there are exceptions: some heavily oaked wines that taste of luscious, expensive oak. I can enjoy this from time to time.

  5. about 6 months ago

    Valentin

    I dislike the oak monster, too. But oak in harmony with the wine is fine. Viviane keep up the great work!

  6. about 7 months ago

    Andrew

    Hate the Oak Monster, but a little Oak Goblin never hurt anybody. Also, love his website.

  7. about 7 months ago

    Josh in Burgundy

    Galvez guy hit the nail on the head. I am not against the sublte nuances oak can impart however I am not for over oaking, if I wanted that I would just become a dendrophiliac or something like that. I kid I kid. Anyway I am voting for the third party candidate MOTTSTER!!

  8. about 7 months ago

    Nathan Ohren

    Gary — I’ve been a ‘lurker’ for about 3 months now. Love your show. Sorry this is my first comment, but I couldn’t resist your invitation. I actually LOVE the oak monster for chardonnay wines… it took me about 3 weeks to be able to even taste it. I had to do all kinds of tasting comparisons before I really ‘got it.’ Now I like it. But I’m also learning to appreciate not needing the oak in order to enjoy a good wine! Thanks for your help!

  9. about 7 months ago

    Dr.J

    g, just watched this episode. add another term to the lexicon: breaky break. it’s what happened to the little ass glass.

  10. about 7 months ago

    Andrew

    Hi Gary, interesting stuff

    QOTD: Why do you have to decide on ‘the monster’ onw way or the other??

    Andrew

  11. about 7 months ago

    Cuse Wino

    QOTD- I am voting against oak

  12. about 7 months ago

    Dan-o

    GV - too bad you had a rough day on the Merlittle show. I could not see payinig $56 for a Long Island wine because I don’t roll that way. I could see paying $49 for the Beausejour!

    QOTD - I don’t think you realize how political of a question this really is.
    There are so many elements and layers to this question.
    I am personally not a fan of the Oak Monster as a general rule.
    However, it depends on the situation.
    When the Oak Monster appears at a rally and is humble and gently makes his point, then I can vote for him.
    When he gets on his soap box and rants and raves, then I am really turned off.

    Another issue has to do with spousal influence. My wife is a big fan of the Oak Monster and I need to keep peace in the valley. However, because we are free thinkers, there are simply times where we peacefully agree to disagree. In that case, we split the Oak Monster in 2. I take the very small portion in the way of a lightly oaked Chard, and my wife take the majority and sips on her Barossa Valley fruit bomb.

  13. about 7 months ago

    David

    no oak no complexity for whites in my book. Split on reds with oak. I like to taste sawdust in my throat after i taste with reds, but don’t like to taste the oak in the beginning or smell it in the bouquet. But good wine is wine you think is good so just my take. love the show.

  14. about 7 months ago

    Ben

    Banish the Oak Monster forever!!!.

  15. about 7 months ago

    wannaBconnoisseur

    Love merlot, hate the oak monster!!

  16. about 7 months ago

    Mason

    QOTD: AGAINST over oaking!!!! Bad, bad, Walla Walla!!!

  17. about 7 months ago

    reidk

    QOTD: I am becoming less and less tolerant of oak, especially in whites, and “lighter” reds like pinots. Some oak in “heavier” reds like cab based wines is cool.

  18. about 7 months ago

    chris the greek

    do enjoy a well intergrated bit of oak but when it is

    AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

    it bugs me that the good fruit is hidden, all that work to make the wine and then it is hidden,

    so have to say against

    chris the greek

  19. about 7 months ago

    Andy

    QOTD—— Can’t go with the Oak MONSTER………. no way G
    Keep trying on the Merlots dude .. There are better ones out there..

  20. about 7 months ago

    yowens

    GV- I went to Napa/Sonoma about a year ago expecting to come back with all sorts of Cab and Chard but found myself liking many of the merlots the best- it is totally under the radar. QOTD: Nay

  21. about 7 months ago

    Adam

    QOTD: For, but it needs to be within reason like anything else, its when things get out of balance that they start to be a problem. It seems like a lot of people are just going with what Gary said, I bet if Gary was the biggest fan of Oak ever, the results of this question would be greatly different.

  22. about 7 months ago

    Dana

    oak is ok, like most things, in moderation. not ok when it is dominant.

  23. about 7 months ago

    plonkdumper

    Nay on the Oakmonster. Understand how/why people are so easily seduced by it - sweet and warm and soft - it just GETS SO OLD! Maybe like once a year when your eating raw grizzly bear or something, on a mountain… it does goes well with campfires. But c’mon! Are you into wine or Oak-aid!

  24. about 7 months ago

    Philip

    I really have split feelings on oak…

    I loved the recommendation on the Four Vines “Naked” Chardonnay recommendation back in episode #289 as those styles I’ve always felt were susceptible to hitting you over the head with the oak to the detriment of everything else going on. That actually started getting me back into some of the whites I haven’t been anxious to try in a while.

    Some of the heartier reds (which I admit is the majority of my consumption) can stand up to much heavier uses of the Oak Monster and he can be a very welcome friend when everything else in the wine can stand up to him and punch him back in the nose if he starts to get a bit unruly.

    The Oak Monster is just one of those friends that thinks he’s being subtle when he really isn’t. Since he doesn’t do subtle you cannot hint at when he’s getting out of control you just have to tell him “dude, you’ve crossed the line!” Up till that line, though, he’s a lot of fun to be with.

  25. about 7 months ago

    NADINE

    Too bad for the excess oak … it kills the wine. I am definately not for the oak, :)

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