American Merlot Blind Tasting – Episode #718

August 11, 2009

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Gary Vaynerchuk blind tastes 6 American Merlots to see if it is time to be drinking F*cking Merlot.

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Comments on this episode(396) Leave a comment ›

  • “I absouluely love 2005 Cypress Merlot, made by J. Lohr. This wine has…” by Brenda
  • “QOTD:
    Best: 2005 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot – Walla Walla Va…” by PeterB
  • View all 396 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Summers Reserve MerlotSonoma Merlot play review at cork'd
2007 Flying Fish MerlotColumbia Valley Merlot play review at cork'd
2006 Woodward Canyon MerlotColumbia Valley Merlot play review at cork'd
2006 Duckhorn Merlot NapaNapa Merlot play review at cork'd
2006 Robert Karl MerlotColumbia Valley Merlot play review at cork'd
2005 Sebastiani Sonoma MerlotSonoma Merlot play review at cork'd

Links mentioned in todays episode.

396 Responses

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  1. November 9, 2009

    Brenda

    I absouluely love 2005 Cypress Merlot, made by J. Lohr. This wine has a bite when you first take a sip then you get this wonderful fruity aftertaste.

  2. October 28, 2009

    PeterB

    QOTD:
    Best: 2005 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot – Walla Walla Valley
    Worst: don’t remember

  3. October 16, 2009

    Ryan D

    QotD: Worst merlot… Kendall Jackson… Best merlot… R.H. Phillips Toasted Head

  4. October 15, 2009

    Philly Boy

    Haven’s Merlot. Picked up a case from a friend for 300 bones….the special lady and I absolutely thought it was phenominal at that price point. I know Michael Haven’s is no longer there, but they’re doing it right.

    I think Merlot is fantastic, could care less what Hollywood is drinking….let alone anything else they’re doing. ;)

  5. September 14, 2009

    PSPatrick

    I love the blind tasting episodes, particularly since I am still waiting for the first blind tasting episode in WLTV history with Gary not asking for a pen ;-)

  6. September 1, 2009

    Daria Kushmelyn

    Responding to your iPod comment, I actually did the reverse. I found you in iTunes (recognizing you from the Joel Stein article), started by watching you on my iPod to and from work, but since I always also got the episodes in my e-mail, preferred that larger format and now I only watch here.

    I have drunk mostly nice cheap Merlots, like the Carmen 2006 from Chile.

    Daria K from Toronto

  7. August 27, 2009

    George Brooks

    So I really just have a quick comment about the itunes comment. This is how I get all of my video podcast just for convenience. It’s like having the RSS reader. Needless to Say Lurker coming out. Although am I a lurker if I’ve seen you twice live, and personally introduced myself at least a few times!?

  8. August 26, 2009

    Jordan

    You just accidentally killed Merlot! haha I’m right there with you though, never rule out Merlot.

    QOTD- Recent Best- Thumbprint Merlot Schneider Reserve Lot, beautiful cherry fruit with a nice chocolate covered cherry hue. Nice little chalk component, almost cellar dusty. And a long luscious finish. An elegant cab drinkers merlot.
    Recent Worst- every other merlot haha

  9. August 25, 2009

    B-727

    Miner Stagecoast 2003 my fav. Can’t remember what acid water Merlot was my least fav.

  10. August 24, 2009

    AMM3RD

    USA Merlot’s I like…Duckhord Estate & Napa, Whitehall Lane Merlot, Bravante Vineyards Merlot.

    Not bad, but worst I’ve had…2005 Longboard Vineyards Merlot Dakine Vineyard & 2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot. Both good QPRs & quaffers.

    I love the blind tastings, what is Ian doing with these wines. I think he can do better! Whitehall, Havens, Neyers, and those are in inventory…AMM

  11. August 21, 2009

    Jamie Barger

    Lurker comment as requested.

    Yup, always love the blind tastings. Just started watching this episode so no detailed comment yet, but I do watch through iTunes/iPod, probably one of the reasons why I don’t leave comments more frequently. Plus, I usually watch the episodes several days after they’re posted, so this is probably the major reason why I don’t leave comments on each episode.

  12. August 20, 2009

    Kim G

    1961 Cheval Blanc was only 1/3 Merlot, 2/3 Cab. Franc.

    QOTD: Best: 1982 Troplong-Mondot in about 2002, a very very good wine. I keep buying the chateau now. and I find it great that they got the lift into the better league (IIRC). Worst: forgot or smthng…

  13. August 20, 2009

    Andrew D

    Hey Gary

    Thanks for a really interesting show. It felt like you were rolling out live and even though the results weren’t fantastic it was still great to see how it all came together.

    QOTD: Best Domain Portet 2004 Yarra Valley. Worst ???

    Cheers
    Andrew

  14. August 19, 2009

    Corin

    Great show Gary, even with the bad result for Merlot. I am just starting to try and drink Merlot again after being unimpressed for many years.!!

  15. August 19, 2009

    jonaperu03

    best: 04 Paloma Merlot Napa Valley
    worst: 05 Trefethen Merlot Napa

  16. August 19, 2009

    struglas

    worst: kingfish merlot $5.40 @ heb. sadley we drink it on the regular. cost reasons.

    best: 2003 mercier merlot mendoncino county. $38 btl. holy-shit!!

  17. August 18, 2009

    RonD

    QOTD: Best = Chateau St Jean Reserve, Worst = …

    Keep the shows coming – we love watching you over dinner and a bottle of wine, usually red. Tonight we had a 2007 Delas CDR St. Esprit. Have you noticed that the CDRs from 2007 are a great QPR?

    When will you be in the northwest/ seattle are next?

  18. August 18, 2009

    Brian Teddy

    Love that J-lo gesture. Never thought of that “backend” when drinking. Great!

  19. August 18, 2009

    Clemclone

    Chateau St. Jean Reserve or even their Sonoma. Just stay away from their Napa blend. Totally uninspired. G Cook is very nice.

    Worst? Anything Charles Shaw produces.

  20. August 18, 2009

    Alex from Montreal

    QOTD: worst merlot? jackson triggs, thin, weak, overall not a great experience. I don’t know what the best merlot I’ve ever had is soooooooooo, the best that I’ve had in a very long time was the Mondavi Carneros Merlot. WOW! $70 but it was pretty damn good after a few years in the cellar.

  21. August 17, 2009

    Easty

    Gary, about the comments – I almost exclusively watch on my ipod on my commute home (on the DC metro) – don’t make it to the winelibrary site that often – if you could figure out a way so I could submit comments from the ipod I would do it every day….

  22. August 17, 2009

    Scruff

    QOTD:
    Best: Paloma with Pride, Corte Riva, and Keenan a close 2,3 & 4.
    Worst: Coppola Diamond Series Merlot

    Like the truth of the blind episodes. Like a lot of US varietals, there is a lot of duds in the sub $30 categories unfortunately – you have to kiss a lot of frogs sometimes before you find the worthy ones.

  23. August 17, 2009

    Brad

    my day-to-day merlot is Chateau Rauze Lafague. Not the best I’ve had, but its a good daily drinker.

  24. August 17, 2009

    pawncop

    Oh and I loved the “Cutest girl in a town with a population of six.” Great line, just a great line.

  25. August 17, 2009

    pawncop

    Wow. Have not seen you have quite a bad run in a while. It is always bound to happen when you least expect it. Did enjoy the information and comment.

    I have enjoyed a modest Merlot, Tin Roof, 2005, Santa Rosa California for some time now.

    Really have not had what I consider a bad Merlot, but I am still learning.

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