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?

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Comments on this episode(414) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: Generally prefer low oaking, with the exception of classic oak s…” by richardvinifera
“I’m an Oak Monster Swing voter… I have a hard time with it’s views o…” by Elliott
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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

414 Responses

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February 13, 2008

BW
QOTD – I vote against the Oak Monster unless he is balanced by all other components in the wine. If he’s in balance, he’s not such a monster, he’s a cool dude! He can be big, but if the fruit & the tannins & the structure are big too, then he works out just fine… but I guess that means he’s only a monster when he’s out of balance, & then he’s bad. Like everything else in life … everything in moderation!
February 13, 2008

Cookiedds
He’s not a monster……he’s my brother…….
If the wine has intense fruit, a nice acid balance and solid framework of tannins then I often enjoy a good frolick with the Oak Monster, the vanilla creme makes it more decadent. I like it by itself this way, not paired with a meal. There is a time and a place for everything.
February 13, 2008

The Original Marc
QOTD: Depends. If his running-mate is Chardonnay, then I’m voting for him (I assume the Oak Monster is masculine?). If his running mate is anyone else, I’m voting against him. For some reason, I like oaky Chards and hate oaky reds.
February 13, 2008

Daniel
I vote against oak monster, but there are times I can tolerate a little oak.
February 13, 2008

David Mathews
Free the grapes!!!! Lock the Oak Monster away. Long live stainless.

And please, keep rinsing your glass with the first half of the bottle. And Retire that midget glass.

(long time lurker)
February 13, 2008

eyezonwine
I’m in the wine biz and when people ask me about an over-oaked wine I do the two hands in the air oak monster scare. People look at me like I’m crazy, love it. After a short explanation people understand, but then actually tell me I’m crazy instead of just giving me a look, love it. Two thumbs down on over-oaking. Changing the wine world one bottle at a time, just as long as it’s not an oak monster.
February 13, 2008

Douglas
I vote FOR the Oak Monster but only if he (she?, it?) chooses a sensible running mate, someone who will moderate his/her overtendancy to overoak during debates and campaign commercials. Someone, for example, like . . . Vivian.
February 13, 2008

PFORTY
QOTD: I have to vote against the oak monster. i like him, don’t mind his policies in small doses, but he gets carried away and takes over far too much for my taste.
February 13, 2008

MonkuWino
I vote against the oak monster. But my vote really doesn’t count. It depends on what Gary’s oaktoral college and super delegates decide.
February 13, 2008

bob c
I was looking forward to this segment, cuz after reading the (parts of) Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil, she was very praisy( word ? )of the Long Island merlots and I’ve been trying to get one here locally(upstate ny)and have yet to find one. Last year, on the “niagara wine trail” we were at the Freedom Run Winery, and I was telling the hostess I was really wanting to taste a long island merlot, and she confessed to me that they had gotten thier grapes from long island.. ..So, I bought a bottle. Still haven’t tried it though as I’m waiting to try it with some friends…(everytime we get together, I bring different bottles)last time was a white and red bordeaux I had gotten from the super sale…As far as oakey… I LIKE a little bit of oakiness,, but not the OAK MONSTER….
February 13, 2008

Graziella
Vivian was so adorable! God Bless. I wanna do that with my kid when I have one someday…
So, I vote against the Oak Monster because every time he is present, I get heart palpitations.
February 13, 2008

Alex
I like a little oak. i don’t like when its overwhelming.
February 13, 2008

Phil M'Glassup
One other note for those Mondovino-philes who are into hatin’ on M.Rolland.
I had the ‘00 Chat Fontenil Fronsac from what I believe is Michel’s own estate and it was one of the most magical wines I’ve ever tasted. Subtle, fruitly, gently stewed tomatoes kissed with floweres. And this Bordeuax was made of merlot.
Got i at WL for a scant $30. Wish I had more.
February 13, 2008

Vinsant
Against the Oak Monster, let that WA fruit shine through!
February 13, 2008

Grapedigger
Not a fan of the Oak monster! I do not like artificial flavors into my wine, period! Cheers!
February 13, 2008

JR
The OM can be useful, some flavors can come through, the vanilla and toasty oak really do work with some wines.
February 13, 2008

CoolHandLuke
I haven’t had an oak monster experience so I can’t vote.

But I tried two new wines this week and enjoyed both. Soquel 05 trinity from the Santa Cruz Mtns a merlot

and an Albarino from Tangent in the Edna Valley. I could smell that wine all day. beautiful
February 13, 2008

Little Jonny H
You know, when I first started drinking wine I liked heavily oaked red, but I think my affinity for this flavor was due to my excitement about tasting more than just black or red fruit in (red) wine! I wonder if a lot of folks who are new to wine or casual wine drinkers are caught up in this same phenomenon -mostly enjoying the fact that they can drink something that tastes like the edge of a chainsaw blade and KNOW that is what they ’should’ be tasting!

Additionally, you’ve got to remember that there are STRONG differences in folks’ phenotypic abilities to taste food, drink, or even a rubber elephant. Most super-tasters probably hate reds due to tannins overpowering their sensitive palate, while those with poor tasting abilities (low taste bud density/count) probably don’t have the capacity to taste second or third tier flavors at all. Of course, olfactory system (the sniffy sniffer) picks up a lot neat flavors on the profile, but the taste buds are undoubtedly an integral part of picking up the body, presentation, polish of a wine. Surely, no single winery can please all of these folks!!!

QOTD: I despise the Oak Monster. In fact, I cut down all the oak trees on my property just so that they would never be used in wine barrels!!! -j/k I love oak trees, but the oak monster only belongs in my bourbon and Tenn whiskies.

The Oak Monster just ruined my Cline Zinfandel
February 13, 2008

Harry Foster
Years ago I was in love with the Oak Monster. However, having experienced many different wines these days, and going back and tasting those wines I used to love, I find that I am not found of the Oak Monster these days. Sorry Gary, I suspect that it is more that my taste has matured versus watching your show. Don’t get me wrong–I love your show and watch it ever day!
February 13, 2008

Rice
QOTD: I’m starting to hate him… he’s crept into all my hi-$ Napa bottles or my palette is changing over the years. I had to give away all my Stag’s Leaps to my friends… they love when my tastes change

I’m gonna try my 2006 Bitch grenache from Australia tonight… stainless steel, no oak monster threatening the Bitch. (only new world people Google it please)
February 13, 2008

BobMac
I like the Oak Monster. And the Cookie Monster.
February 13, 2008

Marc Bienvenue
wouachhhh i hate oak monster…it’s kill the taste.
February 13, 2008

Phil M'Glassup
After my triumphant apparance on freewinelibray.com,, this now-former lurker makes his debu on the big board.
I just wanted to commend the gang here for their mostly-nuanced response to the oak issue, evidence that we can see the forest for the trees.
Let’s face it, unhip as the choice may be, there are times when there’s nothing better than a nice oaky Cali chard. Same’s true for a big, bold, oaky cab. Flavors like these are not subtle but, anti-Parkerites be damned, sometimes they just hit the spot.
Of course, other times (and dinner choices) demand more subtlety, grace and finesse. As so many have noted earlier, it’s all a matter of balance, Fruit and tannen can just as easily fall out of flavour balance as oak. And I’ve seen those inox wines fall as astringetly unbalanced as any wood-lden wine.
So in this instance, I applaud the wisdom and good sense of the crowd. Wanna change the wine world? Drink a tree every once in a while.
As this is my first note, permit me a couple or three other thing:
First of all, that baby was adorable.
Even more adorable and appealing on a whole bunch more adult levels is a certain Ms. Jen Pipes. I was amazed at the comments for her show. I mean most ya’ all were yappin’ about the pappy. I mean, charming old gentleman and all buy yeeesh!!!!!!! HOT GIRL THERE!
(And since she declares herself above a fan, I’d gladly show Ms. Pipes my own personal Oak Monster but that would be unseemly)
Finally, the broken glass puts me in mind of some wise counsel concerning a well-known Jewish matrimonail custom.
Boychiks, if you’re getting married and your shayna maidele makes you break the wineglass with yoru bare feet, get out from under the chuppa IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!
February 13, 2008

steve
Hey GV, HAAAATE THE OAK MONSTER!! AND QUIT WASTING WINE
February 13, 2008

pete c
Vote no to the oak monster. Too bad about the glass.