Under The Radar, Merlot

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?

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(413) Leave a comment ›

“I’m an Oak Monster Swing voter… I have a hard time with it’s views o…” by Elliott
“How can you not love Vivian? Thats adorable at a high level. Too bad …” by Dessert Wine Nerd
View all 413 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2002 Grapes Of Roth MerlotNew York Merlot
2003 Chateau Beausejour BecotSt Emilion
2004 Long Shadows PedestalWashington Red Meritage

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The OakMonster.com

413 Responses

Pages: [17] 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 … 1 » Show All

June 14, 2009

Elliott
I’m an Oak Monster Swing voter… I have a hard time with it’s views on Butterscotch and fruit regulation, but I do appreciate some toast in my chard…
January 7, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
How can you not love Vivian? Thats adorable at a high level. Too bad two of the wines didnt work out today, and dammit for one of them being a Washington wine. I had hopes! QOTD: I can embrace him, but not go rolling down the hill with him. I dont like getting smacked in the face with Hacksaw’s 2×4, either. I mean aside from the point of it hurting, hes not the cleanest wrestler I’ve ever seen. God only knows how dirty that damned thing is from traveling and whatever else he does with it. HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!…. and because my mind is wandering: United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru…….
May 8, 2008

Oakmon's BF
Hey, Josh in Burgundy, donâ€™t knock it till youâ€™ve tried it. Anybody read â€œA Melon for Ecstasyâ€ by John Fortune and John Wells? Iâ€™m just kidding. I donâ€™t do anything unusual like that. I just have the wife dress up like a tree and use that oak perfume I bought her.
May 8, 2008

Oakmon's BF
I havenâ€™t responded in a while but obviously I need to respond to this QOTD. I voting for the Oakmon, dah! Someday Iâ€™ll probably have expanded my appreciation of wine flavors enough to back slowly away from the Oakster, but thatâ€™s not where I am now. I presently prefer wines where I can taste the oak. Iâ€™m up to ep #407. In a couple of weeks Iâ€™ll probably be current.
April 10, 2008

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.
March 19, 2008

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.
March 17, 2008

Valentin
I dislike the oak monster, too. But oak in harmony with the wine is fine. Viviane keep up the great work!
March 5, 2008

Andrew
Hate the Oak Monster, but a little Oak Goblin never hurt anybody. Also, love his website.
February 28, 2008

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!!
February 26, 2008

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!
February 26, 2008

Dr.J
g, just watched this episode. add another term to the lexicon: breaky break. it’s what happened to the little ass glass.
February 26, 2008

Andrew
Hi Gary, interesting stuff

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

Andrew
February 26, 2008

Cuse Wino
QOTD- I am voting against oak
February 24, 2008

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.
February 23, 2008

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.
February 22, 2008

Ben
Banish the Oak Monster forever!!!.
February 21, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Love merlot, hate the oak monster!!
February 20, 2008

Mason
QOTD: AGAINST over oaking!!!! Bad, bad, Walla Walla!!!
February 20, 2008

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.
February 19, 2008

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
February 19, 2008

Andy
QOTD—— Can’t go with the Oak MONSTER………. no way G
Keep trying on the Merlots dude .. There are better ones out there..
February 19, 2008

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
February 18, 2008

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.
February 18, 2008

Dana
oak is ok, like most things, in moderation. not ok when it is dominant.
February 18, 2008

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!