Thanks for another great episode. I think blind tastings that don’t go so well can be as beneficial as ones that do, in the way one can learn from negative experiences. Along those lines, I was wondering if the faults that showed up in this episode (thinness, over-oaking, blandness) are charateristic of some of the less-than-impressive American Merlots (the way a heavy taste of oak can characterize some California Chardonnays) or if this grouping of characeristics was just a fluke? Thanks!

dang it!

Best Merlots last year were 2005 Prime Mountain & 2005 Matthiasson “Red Hen Vineyard”. Under $50 we liked 2005 Bravante Vineyards “Howell Mountain” and 2005 Kendall Jackson “Taylor Peak”. We start our new Merlot blind tastings on Friday.

Thanks for doing a show on Merlots! Went to a wine dinner recently featuring Duckhorn wines and my husband and I really enjoyed their Merlot.

QOTD: Best—Eagle’s Trace 2005 Worst–Charles Shaw(two buck chuck)
Enjoying Leese-Finch Merlot right now.

Gary,
Most of the wines that underperformed had high ratings from the “traditional” wine media… so is it possible that they tend to be complacent with the wineries?

QOTD: My best Merlot???? I have a problem in not finding a place for Merlot when I pair with food. So I tend to skip it. Its not thin enough, like the Pinot Noir, for third dishes (in a five course meal) and not stong enough like a CS, a Malbec or a Tannat for the meat dishes.

Thank you for another great show. Heading to see your episodes on Sake which I saw on my Apple TV that you have in previous shows… somo how I missed those.

My best from Colombia.

Good ep.

QOTD: I recently was in Napa and had a spiritual experience tasting a PlumpJack Merlot! I don’t know which one it was – vintage, that is. It wasn’t from their Cade collection. And I could have sworn they said it was under $20, but when I go to their site, I don’t see a Merlot anywhere near that price.

It was like drinking dark chocolate mixed with vanilla and cherry. It was divine. I should have bought some. Oh well. I was broke. My wonderful big brother took me to Napa and paid for everything. Best vacation ever!!!

Gary, you mentioned dogs in this episode. You need a dog! Children who grow up with dogs are more likely to be cool – studies have confirmed this!

Get a rescue dog!!!

LOL @the J-Lo comment accompanied by the semi-circle arm motion!

QOTD: worst = Charles Shaw, best = not sure, but I seem to remember liking a ’05 Stag’s Leap.

More blind tastings!

QOTD: not sure what the worst was (probably a Yellowtail or something of that ilk). but the best I think was a Fat Bastard. Quite good.

Dig the blind tastings, GV, even if the wines blow it’s still fun. I enjoy when you (at least try to) debunk the myths and give a smart kick in the arse to the bandwagoners, upset the rhythm, invade the comfort zone, insult the second cutest girl in a 6-person town. I live in Southern California, about 40 miles north of Temecula, and it’s downright painful to hear the locals talk about the tasty Temecula wines. Wha…?? Terroir, anybody??

Anyway, love the blinds. It would rock to have Ian pick out all different blends of all different varietals from all different regions of all different vintages in all different parts of the world and do a blind tasting where you have to identify each wine by all of those things, and the price point. Good times!

Thanks for your fierce dedication to the Vayniacs, GV. I wish wish wish I had a wine library here in Riverside, CA which brought your thunder.

‘Til then I remain,

a lurker

Great show. Love the blind tastings. The Summers review had me lol-ing a little bit. It’s great when you show up the big critics (first initial R, last initial Parker) with your miserable scores. Keep going.

STAR LANE MERLOT…. amazing. I love the blind tasting episodes, by the way. They keep us all honest. We’ve been blind tasting more at home, and have found that it’s fun and enlightening.

LOL! Even with the poor showing from the wine, it was a great show. I hope you can do another Merlot tasting soon.

QOTD: I haven’t really had many. The best I’ve had was one from France, the 2005 Chateau Vieux Pourret. It was a chalky wine, with absolutely beautiful, concentrated cherry flavors. I loved it. The worst I’ve had was some bottle that we picked up at a grocery store. Don’t remember the name of it, and don’t particularly want to. 😀

It’s good to have a train-wreck show every now and then. Pretty funny after the pro-Merlot lead-in, but what can you do? If they were lousy, they were lousy. There’s a lot of bad wine out there. That’s what’s so fun about blind tastings.

Thanks Will for explaining what “corked” means. Thanks Kristen. Got your email, too.

Lyeth Merlot from Sonoma for about 12 dollars is a really consistent great bottle of wine!

Best Merlot: Irvine Grand Merlot (Eden Valley)…

Great episode, love the blind tastings. I think the Sebastiani is a best buy!

Best: Blackbird, Paloma
Worst: too many

Paloma Merlot. Always a great American Merlot. Other good ones are Miner Family and Pride Mountain.

It happens (a group of total dud wines). It’s o.k., even though you preached the praises of the varietal. I personally rarely purchase or drink merlot. I think that’s because I had or else read other comments by everyday wines drinkers about merlots that did not do much for them. Since I only have a finite amount of money, I prefer to place it toward other varietals.

QTD – About 15 years ago, I remember a fabulous pre-sell on a Lambert Bridge merlot (favorite). As far as least favorite, I’ve had quite a few that I view as non-descript. Most recently was last year, when I had a Charles Smith’s Washington Holy Cow merlot (approx. $12) – nothing special to me.

Best: Reynolds Family ’05; Luna ’04; Pride ’06
Worst: Cupcake; and KJ

Nothing wrong with California Merlot if you get a good one, but you gotta kiss a lot of frogs along the way (as your show proved).

QOTD: Best was (excluding blends) probably a 2001 Twomey. Worst was I think a Lulu B which was the only red wine at a recent reception I attended. Immediately switched to beer.

I would go with St. Emilion or Pomerole
Never had a good experience with US Merlots even if Wine Spectator’s score is >90!

We’re talking American Merlot, so I’ll skip Pomerol, St. Emilion, etc…

QOTD: Best – Reverie, Diamond Mountain, Napa, Worst – Charles Shaw.

I have been seeing some Flora Springs Napa Merlot at bargain prices and it drinks really well for $14.00.

We enjoy your shows and usually learn something new and/or interesting.(always entertaining)

Favorite Merlot of late: L’Ecole No. 41

We have a bottle of Decoy, a second label blend, by Duckhorn that we’ve yet to open.

R Collection Merlot is inexpensive and goes well with pizza