EP 407 Under The Radar, Merlot

Gary today looks at Merlots from 3 different regions. Is Merlot a wine which people have forgotten about?

Wines tasted in this episode:

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

Latest Comment:

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John__J

qotd: AGAINST the monster. A little oak is fine, but there is no excuse for the oak monster. Wine should be made outta grapes, not trees.

Tags: merlot, New York, red, review, St Emilion, Video, washington state, wine, wines

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  • Hi Gary, interesting stuff

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

    Andrew

  • Cuse Wino

    QOTD- I am voting against oak

  • Hi Gary, interesting stuff

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

    Andrew

  • Dr.J

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

  • Dr.J

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

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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!!

  • 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!!

  • Andrew

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

  • Andrew

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

  • Valentin

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

  • Valentin

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Oakmon’s BF

    Hey, Josh in Burgundy, donâ??t knock it till youâ??ve tried it. Anybody read â??A 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.

  • Oakmon’s BF

    Hey, Josh in Burgundy, donâ??t knock it till youâ??ve tried it. Anybody read â??A 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.

  • 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…….

  • 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…….

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • richardvinifera

    QOTD: Generally prefer low oaking, with the exception of classic oak stylers like Rioja and so forth.

  • richardvinifera

    QOTD: Generally prefer low oaking, with the exception of classic oak stylers like Rioja and so forth.

  • corkscrew

    Have not had these wines..$56 for a NY wines??? Great ending. http://www.winelx.com

  • John__J

    qotd: AGAINST the monster. A little oak is fine, but there is no excuse for the oak monster. Wine should be made outta grapes, not trees.

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