Under The Radar, Merlot – Episode #407

February 13, 2008

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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
  • View all 414 ›

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.

414 Responses

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  1. February 14, 2008

    OregonMike

    Just say no to the oak monster! Too often it covers up way too much of the wine and who likes biting down on a big ol hunk of wood anyway?

  2. February 14, 2008

    wayno da wino

    Yo Gee, Easy on da Glassware…… :)

    QOTD: i do Not like da Oak-Monster ! HASTA LA VISTA, OAK-MONSTER,
    BAAAAAAABEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!! :)

  3. February 14, 2008

    Scottie P

    I vote against the Oak monster. I agree, he overshadows thw wine’s better flavors. Oak in proper balance wouldn’t be to bad though.

    …who doesn’t love the taste of sock monkey!

  4. February 14, 2008

    John Funk

    To continue with the makeup analogy… I think sometimes oak can bring out features that might not get as much attention and that can help balance out a wine or make it more interesting. That being said, like we all know… it’s easy to over do. Nothing pisses me off more than when I crack open a bottle, sit down to enjoy a nice glass and start to feel like I just jammed a BBQ cookin’ plank in my mouth. I’m gonna have to go fiddy-fiddy on this one.

    Peace from up north (-48C with the wind chill today)… iced wine anyone!?

  5. February 14, 2008

    David

    QOTD: I vote no to the Oak Monster, though, if elected, I’m sure he’ll become more moderate, as tends to happen.

    On a side note, Vivian is the cutest kid to ever put a sock monkey in their mouths.

  6. February 14, 2008

    Susan

    Gary-Breaking the glass??? Is that good or bad??? Hum……………..:)

  7. February 14, 2008

    Susan

    Gary- I am all for the oak monster IF and only if it is well balanced and doesn’t ‘take over’ the wine. I do not like drinking straight oak!!! :)

  8. February 14, 2008

    Jaybird

    As long as in does not mask the fruit, it is hard to enjoy a glass of wood. I also want variation, it would be boring if every wine tasted the same. Bottom line is that I am better friends with the Oak Monster the the Barnyard Poop Monster.

  9. February 14, 2008

    Ricky B.

    QOTD- The Oak monster is becoming a less and less important part of my life, at this point in time I would have to vote no, but I wouldn’t mind if he was vice president.

  10. February 14, 2008

    Martin

    Here’s another vote against the oak monster. We experienced it last Thanksgiving and thought it was just in the way.

  11. February 14, 2008

    Fred Liu

    QOTD:Against, basically. Delicately oaked wines can be interesting, but never wined oaks…

    Vivian is so cute. I like her.

    I’m just back from my Chinese tradition spring fastival.
    Best regards, and break a glass!:)

  12. February 14, 2008

    Chuckythe2651

    I can only vote for the Oak Monster if he’s running for the office of Chardonnay. In Chards heres what I want to taste…I want a big oak steak with a very light covering of butter with a side of green apples, pears, and straw. Other than that the Oak Monster needs to stay away from all other wines!

  13. February 14, 2008

    Johnny2Sheds

    QOTD: I vote “no” on the Oak Monster. A little is okay, but I’m not into heavily oaked wines. I’m curious to see how other folks are responding to this. There must be a market for such wines since winemakers continue to produce them. I’m just curious as to how big that market is.

  14. February 14, 2008

    Memphis Mike

    I initially voted for the Oak Monster, but now I say stay the course.

  15. February 14, 2008

    Donna Marie

    Love BABY- TASTER Vivian.

    QOTD: I’m for a little oak, just not the entire tree.

  16. February 14, 2008

    T. Holland

    QOTD: I vote against the oak monster. Oak can really enhance a wine, but you should still be able to taste the fruit. When all you can taste is oak, what is the point. I understand some of the mass produced junk out there that uses oak to hide it’s crappy fruit, but when you have great fruit, let it show through. BTW- I consider myself more of a new world fan too.

  17. February 14, 2008

    NathanN

    I say oak in moderation because it can bring so much to the wine. Love the vanilla flavors it brings to the table. It is wonderful as long as it doesn’t overpower the fruit. I vote for oak.

  18. February 14, 2008

    Jeffrey

    Off your rocker on the Grapes of Roth bud! :)

    Oak Monster has it’s place, just like anything else.

  19. February 14, 2008

    Steve B

    QOTD: I vote in favor of the oak monster, because in a well-made wine such as the Pedestal, time will tame him and those oak flavors will blend beautifully with the fruit.

    GV, you mentioned that Pedestal is a partnership of Michel Rolland and Allen Shoup. Yes, that’s the business partnership. The winemaking partnership for Pedestal, however, is Michel Rolland and Gilles Nicault. Gilles is the director of winemaking and viticulture for all seven of the Long Shadows wines.

    By the way, the ‘05 Pedestal is now available. Maybe a comparison with the ‘04 is in order? Indeed, I’d like to see you make more comparisons on WLTV of different vintages of the same wine.

  20. February 14, 2008

    fatdoi

    oak monster suck man…….

  21. February 14, 2008

    John W. Taylor

    I absolutely, 100%, hate the oak monster. Nothing is more maddening then only mainly smelling and tasting wood , but barely or unable to taste fuit and mineral componets. I view heavily oaked wine as being poorly made, because they are using oak to hide thier flaws. I hate overoaked Chardonnays the most. If I want to taste wood and alcohol, I will drink scotch. When I drink wine I want to taste fruit,vegetable, mineral, tobacco, leather, and ,perhaps chocolate components of various wines. Gary, I love seeing Merlot episodes. I have been on the Merlot bandwagon, since the early 80’s and have never gotten off. I am glad most people do not like Merlots because it has really kept the price down. I have quite an extensive list of cellared Merlots. Gary do a show somtime on just Pomerols.

  22. February 14, 2008

    JoshL

    I’m voting FOR the oakmon because 1) hey, I like that stuff when I’m drinking for a buzz, and 2) because when I drink me some old-style ‘nooak’, I need a gauge. It is really all about the research.

    Constant research.

  23. February 14, 2008

    YoungDave

    QOTD: I’m ONLY ok with the Oak Monster if we hold hands and frolic together (like you and he did in that picture so many episodes ago) through a meadow of flowers and ripe fruit where vegetables grow too, and he “plays nice” and is tame and reserved. If he acts up in ANY way and gets all big and bold, I vote NO on the Monster and shun him from my Pal Party.

  24. February 14, 2008

    RickD

    Oak is best used as a subtle addition – a little hint in the mid palate. Like others – initially enjoyed lots of oakey CA chards – but now I like less and less.

  25. February 14, 2008

    rimarfish

    QOTD: i’m totally against the oak monster (although the t-shirt is my favorite)

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