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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

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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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  • Vinsant

    Against the Oak Monster, let that WA fruit shine through!

  • 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.

  • Alex

    I like a little oak. i don’t like when its overwhelming.

  • 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.

  • Alex

    I like a little oak. i don’t like when its overwhelming.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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….

  • 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….

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • Daniel

    I vote against oak monster, but there are times I can tolerate a little oak.

  • Daniel

    I vote against oak monster, but there are times I can tolerate a little oak.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • RB

    GV and Vivian,
    I can’t tell you how that video takes me back to when my two children were that age….It is a special time…enjoy!!!! Family and wine….and cheese!

    GV, can I tell you how intrigued I am with the cab franc….I have to try. I am all about QPR and this looks like a wine that brings the thunder….
    thanks….

    BTW, the Carm was better than advertised! Thanks!

  • Kdawg

    QOTD: gary, count me in as anti-oak montster. When done right Oak can work, but it’s over done way too much and it just ruins wine. Recently I had a chance to taste a Walter Hansel Chard and it was all oak, and all I could think was WTF.

    While I’m on it, count me as anti-butter bandit. When are the california chardonnay makers going to learn to end these awful flavors and allow the wonderful flavors that chardonnay can bring out to the forefront

  • RB

    GV and Vivian,
    I can’t tell you how that video takes me back to when my two children were that age….It is a special time…enjoy!!!! Family and wine….and cheese!

    GV, can I tell you how intrigued I am with the cab franc….I have to try. I am all about QPR and this looks like a wine that brings the thunder….
    thanks….

    BTW, the Carm was better than advertised! Thanks!

  • Kdawg

    QOTD: gary, count me in as anti-oak montster. When done right Oak can work, but it’s over done way too much and it just ruins wine. Recently I had a chance to taste a Walter Hansel Chard and it was all oak, and all I could think was WTF.

    While I’m on it, count me as anti-butter bandit. When are the california chardonnay makers going to learn to end these awful flavors and allow the wonderful flavors that chardonnay can bring out to the forefront

  • CAB

    QOTD AGAINST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Oak Monster. He makes wine nasty, I think the Oak Monster is
    responsible for me giving up wine for so many years.

  • CAB

    QOTD AGAINST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Oak Monster. He makes wine nasty, I think the Oak Monster is
    responsible for me giving up wine for so many years.

  • MattyO

    great show. my first good experiences with vino were with merlots…fond memories.

    QOTD: i vote FOR the oak monster because i have had some good experiences with him, he has been good to me so far so i can’t hate on him.

    thanks mott! thanks gary! thanks to everybody just cause you rock!

  • MattyO

    great show. my first good experiences with vino were with merlots…fond memories.

    QOTD: i vote FOR the oak monster because i have had some good experiences with him, he has been good to me so far so i can’t hate on him.

    thanks mott! thanks gary! thanks to everybody just cause you rock!

  • I like some oak and some of my favorites had a little. I do not think I have had an over oaked wine. I need to try a decent wine that is over the top to understand my oak tolerance. Does anyone have any recommendations?

  • I like some oak and some of my favorites had a little. I do not think I have had an over oaked wine. I need to try a decent wine that is over the top to understand my oak tolerance. Does anyone have any recommendations?

  • Dan C.

    Yeah I really don’t know if i’ve experienced the oak monster yet …

    But when I do I will vote on this topic…

    I’ll see you soon oak monster…

    Thanks GV.

  • Dan C.

    Yeah I really don’t know if i’ve experienced the oak monster yet …

    But when I do I will vote on this topic…

    I’ll see you soon oak monster…

    Thanks GV.

  • GV ~ Intersting tasting, seems like the Oak Monster theme continues to be all the rage with the current cult like wines. Maybe I should begin to make a 100% Oak wine with 16% Alc. maybe I could get a 95 point wine rating ??

    QOTD: definite pazzz on the Oakey Oakster !!

    Keep on keeping on with the T-show, Cheers, Max

  • Anonymous

    Finally caught up w/ the last 5 eps tonight.(!) Vivian rules! Hey, you could have her on as a guest when she’s 21 – after all, you’d only be 44 by then… ; )

    QOTD: A little oak goes a long way, in my somewhat limited experience, so no Monster for me.

  • GV ~ Intersting tasting, seems like the Oak Monster theme continues to be all the rage with the current cult like wines. Maybe I should begin to make a 100% Oak wine with 16% Alc. maybe I could get a 95 point wine rating ??

    QOTD: definite pazzz on the Oakey Oakster !!

    Keep on keeping on with the T-show, Cheers, Max

  • laurie in VT

    Finally caught up w/ the last 5 eps tonight.(!) Vivian rules! Hey, you could have her on as a guest when she’s 21 – after all, you’d only be 44 by then… ; )

    QOTD: A little oak goes a long way, in my somewhat limited experience, so no Monster for me.

  • The Oak Monster BLOWS! You said it, GV. Great fruit obliterated by $$$ to get Parker points is a major flaw in this business. You don’t need Michael Rolland to pull that move. Anyone can do it.

  • The Oak Monster BLOWS! You said it, GV. Great fruit obliterated by $$$ to get Parker points is a major flaw in this business. You don’t need Michael Rolland to pull that move. Anyone can do it.

  • Anonymous

    Holy cow! It’s late and my math is more off than usual! Try only 54 in 21 years…

  • laurie in VT

    Holy cow! It’s late and my math is more off than usual! Try only 54 in 21 years…

  • Chateau_plonk

    I vote against. I can understand why people like the oak monster, but for me it makes me wonder what was so wrong with the wine that they had to gussie (sp?) it up with a bunch of oak. That being said though, most of my favorite red wines do see some oak (some being the critical word here).

  • Chateau_plonk

    I vote against. I can understand why people like the oak monster, but for me it makes me wonder what was so wrong with the wine that they had to gussie (sp?) it up with a bunch of oak. That being said though, most of my favorite red wines do see some oak (some being the critical word here).

  • DJB

    I am completely against the oak monster. I too have found many wines “ruined” by over-oaking.

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