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 14, 2008

Robert
Too many producers use too much new oak in their blends. I applaud Gary for trying to promote the conservative view of oak in the flavor profile.
February 14, 2008

Stu
QOTD: Vote NO on the Oak Monster
February 14, 2008

Blindrules
Gary you missed it on the pedestal. I was surprised you thought that the OM came out on this wine yet thought the 04 Woody artist wasn’t pure OM. BTW I just had a 1/2 bottle of the Woody and while I like it……it’s hot and oaky compared to the pedestal. If you really want to see the OM come out huge try the Walla Walla Vintners 05 Merlot.
February 14, 2008

B-727
I’m with the oak — adds a cool element — but not if it’s monsterish.
February 14, 2008

Karen B.
I am very against the Oak Monster, and I’m so glad not only that someone coined the phrase “Oak Monster,” but that someone feels the same way I do about it. Now…here’s a question for you…for YEARS I drank Chardonnay and Cabernet, almost exclusively, when I drank wine, b/c that’s pretty much all everyone seemed to drink years ago. I’d often end up with awful headaches or hangovers the next day (and I wasn’t drinking more than 2 glasses). I pretty much gave up on wine for a while. Well, I’m convinced it has something to do with the oak. I now stick to Merlot, Pinot Noir, Barberra, Chianti, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and occastionally Zinfandel, Syrah or Shiraz…pretty much anything except for Chardonnay or Cab. In your opinion, is there a connection between the oak and headaches? And is there a difference between American oak and European oak? I never seem to have a problem with European wines.
February 14, 2008

agentorange
QOTD: Will vote early and often…totally against.

What’s with the all the baby action? Gary, are you and Mott pregnant?

Sorry Lizzie.
February 14, 2008

Dr. Dan
Against the Oak Monster, for the Son of Oak Monster.
February 14, 2008

Tom Nelson
For the oak monster…..I enjoy the taste of oak in my wines. Have you tasted RH Phillips Toasted Head Chardonnay?
February 14, 2008

Paulo
No for Oak Monster. Kind of tolerable in small doses on young wines when the fruit still can stand up to it…
February 14, 2008

Andrew Kellner
After the last 2 Merlot episodes it reminds me that I used ot really like a nice Merlot and also understand Miles why he said no f–n Merlot, because of the badly mass produced variety. Time to go ut and give it another try.

QOTD: These days NO OAK…
February 14, 2008

ronb
Against
February 14, 2008

Randy
I’m not a big fan of the Oak Monster, I do enjoy his younger siblings who often lend a hint of oak and vanilla on reds. I’m totally opposed to the Oak Monster invading my whites and not just the whitey tighties.
February 14, 2008

Tom Cameron
QOTD: I enjoy the HINT of oak on the nose, but prefer no strong oak flavor.

Now that I’ve tried a wine aged in stainless steel (thanks to the Boston wine Expo), I can say with certainty that oak does lend something nice to my pal.
February 14, 2008

Dick
BIG NEGATIVE FOR THE OAK MONSTER
February 14, 2008

Dick
GREAT EPISODE!! LAST PART…
February 14, 2008

DC7
A baby oak monster is OK in some wines.
February 14, 2008

orchidvet
against
February 14, 2008

ChezJosh
I am staunchly against the Oak Monster. If the Oak Monster did win the election, I would likely have to move to Canada.
February 14, 2008

Sarah
I don’t think that the Grapes of Wroth can claim to have the highest NY wine rating. Rieslings from Dr. Frank have definitely received 92 point scores…some perhaps even higher.
February 14, 2008

Stan Vasily
NO NO NO Oak MONSTER
February 14, 2008

C
Against…enough said
February 14, 2008

NC Carl
I hate the Oak Monster in White Wine. Not a big fan in reds but I can tolerate it more than some.
February 14, 2008

Adam P
Hello good people of the wine world!
I’ve made several posts earlier under names such as “grumpy old man” and somthing danish. Todays show has confirmed my beliefs, and that of Garys favorite diss-movie: Merlot mostly sucks!

I cannot comprehend why Gary continues to favour this grape varietal, and tells people to try new things. The fact – as documented by the redunculus scores of merlot wines given by Gary – is that merlot is a grape not being well handled by most foreign wineries. They tend to be over oaked, to powerfull, almost shiraz-like, bombs, without substance.
Now, whether one agrees with the infamous “no fucking merlot” quote or not, one must acknowledge, that those who claim to understand wine (and there does seem to be experts within every discipline on earth, so why not wine?!) do generelly not approve of merlot outside the east-bank of Bordeaux.

I would really like to hear garys 2-cents about this – preferably via e-mail (don’t want to piss of merlot-lovers – all are entitled to their oppinion) – and hope that he (you Gary!)don’t consider me a lurker – as I have often posted under other names.

From Now on forth, I shall be known as Adam P, and will be posting whenever I am pissed (in the british sence of the word, i.a. being drunk).

QOTD: It’s all about balance! Can the other components justify the amount of new oak? Very often oak is used to mask a flaw, such as lack of concentration of dry matter, acidity…
February 14, 2008

Joshua E.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever had an over-oaked wine, but maybe i’ve just never tasted it. What exactly does a heavily oaked wine taste like exactly?
February 14, 2008

Cyn
QOTD: Wine newbie so I’m not sure if I’ve evver tasted the “Oak Monster” in action…..to be continued…