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EP 803 Another Merlot Blind Tasting

Gary revisits Merlot in this blind tasting of wines around the world, with some interesting results.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Chateau La BienfaisanceSt Emilion
2007 Bellanotte MerlotFriuli Venzia-Giulia IGT
Segal’s Fusion RedIsraeli Kosher Wine
2007 Osso Anna MerlotNapa Merlot

Links mentioned in todays episode.


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Tags: Blind Tasting, merlot, red, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • ChicagoMatt

    Solid episode.

    QOTD – Can't remember the vintage, but I had a Shafer merlot in a restaurant back in '00 that was great. I'm guessing it was around '96. Recently, had a very solid '05 Clos du Val merlot. The addition of bits of Cab Franc and Cab Sauv livens things up a bit, but Merlot plays a leading man very well.

    Go Colts!!!

  • Mott

    I did the filming

  • waynooo daaaa winoooo

    WHOOOOOOOOOOOOA G, YOOOOU DAAAA MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!! Caaan't
    Wait to watch this One!!! Oh Boy, Oooooh Boooooy!!!!!
    GOOOO JETS!!! JETS!!! JEEEETS!!! YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAW!!!!! :0)

  • Tonyt87

    Good show and nice timing as I just purchased my first 2 Merlots a couple days ago(I'm wine newb). They were the 2008 Little Penguin Merlot and 2007 Mezzacorona Merlot Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT. I should have gotten into Merlot earlier because the flavors are perfect for my palate.

    QOTD: Well out of the two I've had so far, the Italian is the winner for me also.

  • Slushpuppy

    I liked the old comment/format better. That giggling girl in the background sounds like she needs to be spanked! Usually like Merlot more than Cab; less oak.
    Smell it first. TR

  • SourGrapesFC

    Gary,
    great episode; I love the pacing.

    QOTD: never had one I really liked. I should probably try some more.

  • Phredd3

    Outstanding episode. I want to see one blind episode every week, if at all possible. Very nice.

    QOTD: I don't have a favorite Merlot. I'm still experimenting in that varietal, and haven't really found anything to hang my hat on. I did find one at a tasting I liked and bought a couple, but at the tasting they seemed to young, so they are sitting in my cellar. I can tell you if I truly love them once I let time do its thing.

  • SourGrapesFC

    you rock, Mott!

  • cellarrat5

    I second the bline bubbly, that would rock my perverbial world!

  • scotty8m8

    Loved the blind tasting. “Ya never know”.

    QOTD: had a bottle of Flora Springs Reserve Merlot watching the play-off in early 2000 that was so good I nearly cried when there was no more.

  • carlo10

    Forza Italia!

    QOTD: never had a merlot that has knocked me off my feet. they have just been, meh so far.

    it is hilarious watching this knowing the outcome of the game and you dont.

    when you say “the oak monster” i think it is always followed by “makes an appearance” haha

    @gary…..when are you going to ustream next?

  • Mott

    Thanks SourGrapesFC!

  • abrams7

    I'am so glade you did this show because rescently all I have been drinking is Merlot.
    I have really gotten to where merlot is one of my favorite reds ,and 2005 was an excellent year for this verital. Altough one of my favorites witch I can't remember it's name was a 2004. I loved it mainly because it was extremly smooth and dry.

  • carlo10

    I really want to see a box/tetra pack blind with other similar bottles. or just budget wine shows in general.

  • Phaser

    Nice,
    Like the blind shows. Haven't tried a Merlot yet, but some day.

  • abrams7

    I agree,and it would be cool to do a blind with all completely different wines. Just to see how that pals doin!

  • nightfilm

    Hey, Gary, how come you keep bashing “Sideways”? It did more for the wine world than just about anything in the last five years. It made wine hip and is probably partly responsible for your success. I like your show; why don't you like the film? Rex Pickett (author of “Sideways”). Ps: I like Merlot, I just rarely drink it, but face it, Duckhorn and Shafer and Petrus aside, they earned their reputation.

  • abrams7

    Don't give up! There are some really good ones out there.

  • DKBTex

    Great show Gary!!!! I love the blinds… Great job Kmurph!!!!!!
    Thanks for all the help and what yall do at WL and WLTV… and CW!!!
    Darryl

  • carlo10

    oh i know there are…but i am in school so the $$ is tight haha. and i have only been able to legally drink for a year haha

  • QOTD: Back in the day I used to love Stag's Leap Merlot and then fell out of favor with the varietal due to the complexity I was finding in different varietals. Today, if I'm going to drink Merlot, I go straight to the Right Bank.

  • abrams7

    Well I can agree that all of the duckhorns I have had have been crap. An I like merlot.

  • adamtodd

    GV
    I have to say the blind tastings are my favorite. I have not had a merlot that has been overly memorable.

  • Don Simpson

    MOTT!!! Great to see you in the comments, you are the man.

  • abrams7

    Try to stay around 2004 or 2005. In my opinon that is probably merlot's best year here lately.

  • cellarrat5

    People can say what they will about Duckhorn's wine, but I had the best tasting experiance ever just a few weeks back. Before I knew what was happening there were at least 30 empty glasses on the table my friend and I were sitting at. They really pulled out all the stops. two whites, 3 Merlots, 3 Pinot's, 3 VERTICAL Cabs (03, 04, 05 the 03 and 04 were Library stuff) and three others I cannot remember for the life of me (I wonder why!). Even threw in a non CA mystery wine. Best tasting adventure ever!

  • cellarrat5

    I think Mott should be a guest at least once a month. After all, he deserves it!! The Mottster blind tasting with Gary anyone!!??

  • QOTD: Like adamtodd below, I have not had a memorable Merlot. But if I do want a Merlot that tastes good I grab a $6 bottle of Robert Mondavi Merlot from the local grocery store, it's dependable.

    Love the blind tastings GV, keep em coming

  • nightfilm

    Chargers 27 — Jets 13

  • <3 the blind tasting and the price points.

    Would like to see a “varieties/blends traditional to France's Rhone Valley, but not from France's Rhone Valley” blind tasting show.

    QOTD: Not the biggest Merlot fan, so I don't have one that sticks out in my mind.

  • zman15

    Great show!! Love the blinds. They definitely need to slip something different in once in a while to keep you on your toes. The Israeli was a nice choice.

    QOTD: Right now I'm really digging the Miner Stagecoach Merlot.

    I wonder what the best QPR region is for Merlot?

  • adamtodd

    Thank you for the info. I will keep it in mind.

  • Anonymous

    Ahhh you remembered!

    I did find a dessert wine (which was my first thought because she loves sweet) that she absolutely LOVED! 2008 Tintero Moscato d’Asti “Sori Gramela”. It was only $11.00 so it didn’t break the bank at all. And I do have to say, it was very drinkable. We finished the bottle and she still wanted more.

    I haven’t forgotten about the Argyle Pinot Noir. My uncle is a big Pinot Noir fan, and he did crack open a $70 bottle for me last time I was in town, so I figure I owe him. I think I will bring the Argyle by next time I visit my uncle, and that way she can taste it. If she loves it’s a win win situation.

    I will try every wine that was recommended to me on that post just so she’s not stuck on one wine. So, thanks again for the suggestion!

    Jason

  • I really enjoyed this Merlot blind tasting Gary, these episodes really fascinate me, I am going to be taking a blind tasting seminar @ the Boston Wine Expo that will be ran by Leslie Sbrocco, I am really looking forward to that.

    Kristen…If you are reading this…great job picking out the wines, Ana and I cant wait to see you Saturday…we really miss you.

  • guymandude

    Good call on #2, blind format rules.

    Wondering if you could estimate the year of your tasting also, like 1-3yrs. 5-7 yrs etc.

  • Of course.

  • Thanks Don Simpson!

  • Nah, I like it behind the camera.

  • lordsauvignon

    Love the blinds!
    QOTD: Favorite was an Oasis Vineyard (VA) 2004 Merlot purchased at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

  • DFbwp

    QOTD: Sad to say I have not tasted a Merlot that is memorable enough to say was my favorite. I buy Merlot when my pockets are a little light. They are usually a couple of dollars cheaper than pinot noir and cab sauv and there's some squirrelly pinot out there now, stuff calling itself pinot that doesn't taste like it. I don't drink pinot now unless I have some reason to think it's going to taste like pinot.

    Love the blinds! Ups to KMurph for picking stuff under $20 as well. We like the value play. That means the Bienfaisance at 88 for $18 is good QPR.

  • DFbwp

    I'd like to know best QPR region for Merlot too, if you can figure such a thing out. Overall Argentina and Portugal seem to be hitting it out of the park QPR-wise, where else?

  • heavster

    I recall having juicy, rich Merlots from Dry Creek and Gundlach-Bundshu in the late 1980's that I liked a lot. Recently, I've had the 2005 Duckhorn Merlot that was quite nice–not overly fruity, nice grip and finesse

  • carlo10

    can you define “QPR”?

  • I love da blinds myself too. Seeing what was #1 in your tastings brings back a memory of the first time I was overwhelmed by a glass of wine was when I was traveling alone in Venice and stopped at a trattoria to have dinner and I ordered an Italian Merlot which blew my socks off. I haven't looked back and even Sideways (my fav is Pinot) did not turn me against Merlot.

    QOTD: Colts will win the Super Bowl, oh, that's not the question. It's good to see few if any people here choose the Colts. My fav Merlot has to be Duckhorn or that no-name Italian I had 20 years ago. 🙂

    Cheers!

    MY QOTD: Which two teams would be your fav and least fav in the SB?

  • Quality Price Ratio

  • carlo10

    thanks

  • A dumb Rhein king

    Love the blinds.

    QOTD: I used to like the Coppola, but now I don't really anymore. That is the only Merlot that comes to mind.

  • PatB

    Gary,

    Great show. Blind tastings are the best.

    Pretty cool you got a comment from the author of “Sideways”. You Matter!!

    I like White Hall Lane.

  • I think the current vintage of Simard is '98 … they also pour it by the glass at the outstanding wine bar at DFW Airport (La Bodega concourse E, I think?) It's hideously expensive, but it had a wonderful woody, even slightly metallic aged-Bdx thing going on. Got a few bottles when I got home, for about the same price at WL as the bar was charging per glass …

  • Beeper

    Mott: thanks for that big bear hug after the show on Monday – you were great…

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