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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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  • RodneyStrong09

    Markham Merlot 2005-2007, about 15-20 bucks at your neighborhood wine store. Great big nose for a Merlot and solid dark fruit.

  • Shootmenow

    Love the blind episode. Now it would be fun to do a double blind sparkling wine episode 😉

    QOTD: Would have to a split for me between Paloma and Pride Mountain Claret/Vintner's select. Amazing juice.

  • tjd9870

    GV…Massetto, ReDigaffi, Galatrona and Messorio are all classic Merlots from Italy…disagree that you dont think of Italy/Merlot together.

  • adrums

    Digging the blind show, although, it might be helpful for us to be in on which wine you are currently tasting / discussing, before the unveiling, as otherwise we're a bit in the dark. Of course so are you, but since you're having the actual experience of tasting them, it's somewhat different. (?)
    QOTD: Partiality to Washington State here. I like Betz Clos, Woodward Canyon, Fielding Hills, Januik and the Andrew Will blends in particular. Paloma from Napa is quite tasty though.

  • Rich

    So it is between Duckhorn and Chateau Figeac

    Those are my two favs

    See you in Indy…………..

  • scottEJ

    Agreed. Italian merlot is hugely unrepresented here in the states. That said, I'm noting down to seek more out.

  • NY Pete

    that’s it? you must be ill.

  • Rodman7298

    Chuck love you show moved here in italy ( sicily ) about a year ago due to the military and love the vino we would love to have you do a show on sicily wines.. glad to see the italian wine was # 1

  • tobymarcus

    QOTD: Its funny, actually, i am an old world (style) wine lover. Rarley do i find a new world wine i really like, having said that, my favorite (value driven) Merlot is the WAKEFIELD MERLOT.
    I did just recevie, as a gift two bottles of Viansa's 2006 Merlot (blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel & Teroldego). i am interested to try it…

  • GYHTBT

    Gary,
    Your tasting has validated something I just discovered, the Italian Merlot is awesome. The reason it is awesome is that it does not taste like “Merlot” or perhaps it does? as in this is how Merlot should taste? In fact I just tried a 2007 PETROLO Toscana Galatrona and I have to say it was incredible. It is pricely but Man-O-Man compared to the overpriced right bank stuff this wine is a dead center winner.

  • Kyle

    QOTD: I've never been completely bowled over by a merlot – more research needed. 😉 Errazuriz merlot from Chile is a great value crowd pleaser.

    Keep up the blind tastings Gary, very entertaining and a true test.

    Any other fans in London here?

  • slimdogny

    Usually a lurker – Love the blind tastings – they rock.

    QOTD: Not to blow smoke up the WL backside, but the Warnke Merlot that you guys, WL staff recommended, had brought me back to Merlot. Finished the last bottle I had a few weeks ago and am sad.

    Will keep my eyes out for a good value Italian Merlot. Syrah too while I'm at it.

  • NC_Carl

    Nice show, need more blind tastings.

    QOTD – Paloma, hands down

  • Krunch

    I agree that the Segal Fusion Red, should not have been in the tasting, If they didn't have the Segal merlot then Murph should have picked a different wine.

    But for a Newbie, she did OK, I'll give her a “85” (MOTT zoom)!

  • CabZinPin

    Great show Gary, LOVE the blind tastings. QOTD: As you can tell by my name, merlot is not one of my favorite varietals. I've never had many old world ones but I have had some good ones from Cali, especially Arrowood and Pride.

  • Sorry GV but I've got to agree with this gentleman… you're going to have an uphill climb this weekend.

    Love this BevMo in WeHo, by the way.

  • Oh snap Kmurph sighting! Nice selections for this one Kmurph, the Israeli Merlot blend was particularly sneaky!

  • SourGrapesFC

    Mott! I freakin’ love the Bender avatar! R-o-c-k S-t-a-r [period]

  • QOTD: I'm not a big Merlot drinker, but I liked the '04 and '05 Robert Young Alexander Valley wine I've tasted.

  • jenna35

    Great Blind Tasting! QOTD:Duckhorn 2006 Merlot

  • abrams7

    Yeah I like to stay around 04 to 05 with Merlots. I tend to like most of the 05's better.
    I like merlot alot and try and drink it very often.

  • CharlieTN

    I disagree–I like being “in the dark” and trying to guess what the wines are before they are unveiled. Some of the old blind tasting episodes from the archive have the wines revealed to the viewers as Gary tastes them, if you want to compare…

  • First time watching an episode – really enjoyed it although I'm not a huge wine drinker. I quite like a Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend if I'm forced to have a glass. Busy reading your book. Thanks Gary 🙂

  • Another blind tasting… YES.

    Sub-QOTD: Even before the end of the season I suggested Saints vs. Jets Superbowl. Exact prediction impossible. Saints are like an advance army and could squish Jets. But, Jets this season have passion, like guerrilla, could easily do miracles.

    QOTD: Best Merlot from odd place: Long Island. 1997 Palmer Reserve Merlot tasted in 1999. Never before or after did I even find decent Merlot from Long Island … but this particular one was unforgettable (and occasion was nothing in particular, so wine did i on its own).

  • btuss

    I have to say that one of the best Merlot's I've ever had came from Gainey Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. Perhaps it was the Santa Maria style tri-tip we paired it with, or the two bottles I drank. It was full bodied, had a great nose, and definitely a fine wine! Thanks for the fun today Gary V!

  • Great blind tasting! Favortie Merlot – Canoe Ridge – Walla Walla

  • cellarrat5

    If enough people are behind me, Mott and Gary have to do a blind show together! O.K. so maybe they dont HAVE to but they should! who is with me??!!

  • Did I hear the merlot was from Venezuela? VeneziaGiulia?

  • frank

    gary looking forward to takeing on of your seminars in beantown this weekend,but with the jets winning ,are you gonna make it ? best merlot 04,05 pride tasted out of the barrels in the cave. loooong time lurker met you in boston last year.

  • legndaryrat

    I don't normally care for merlot, but I had an interesting one a few days ago. It was the Gotham Regional Vineyard Series 2008 Merlot. It actually put me more in mind of a big cab or zin. Tons of dark fruit and low tannins, the bottle didn't last very long.

  • I’m never in the cool crowd! 🙂

  • Richie

    Love the blind tastings. Really look forward to seeing more of them in the future. Really like it when those parker wines bomb.
    Totally agree with that smooth factor about wines. So many people come into my store and pick up this garbage boring wine for $12-$18. I even have been asking them “Why did you pick this wine over some of the others in this price range?” and they reply “Well its smooth and easy to drink, I just like it.” I just blows my that these people drink some crappy pinot noir that tastes more like syrah than pinot just because it hip and smooth.

    QOTD: I had a Casa Lapostolle cuvee alexander merlot a few years back and it rocked the house. Good complexity and it had this spicy clove that was interesting. Think its like 85% merlot 15% carmenere. This wine just begs to be drunk with a thick cut fatty steak.

    And don't forget GO SAINTS!!!

  • davidfrommichigan

    I went to Chateau Beau Sejour Becot in St. Emilion in June, 2002. They were raving about the 2000 vintage. The next January I was diagnosed with leukemia, so as motivation, I bought three bottles to hold so I could celebrate my 65th birthday in 2014. I cheated (played with fate) and had one this year when I brought my sons together for my 60th. It was very fine and notable for the refinement and long finish and vibrancy, but I was struck by the lack of fruit. I'm definitely planning on enjoying the ext two in another 4+ years.

  • Joe Trdinich

    Favorite merlot is the Chateau St. Jean Reserve Merlot. Our wine group goes to Sonoma every year and this wine is always our “wine of the day” . Very expensive but always outstanding.

  • I wish you would have included an Columbia Valley in the line up!

  • hollisdevillo

    neato. fun stuff. bibidy bobody boo.

  • me 2!

  • 🙂

  • Ill be there Sat Frank

  • I am with u!

  • Mike

    This past Thanksgiving we had a great '03 Provenance Merlot. Delish?

  • chukheadted

    keep doing blind episodes! a blind month! plllllleeeeasse! thanks gary!

    go jets!!!

    my fav merlot: columbia crest grand estates 04/06

  • cellarrat5

    Yes! Instant classic right there!!

  • lmyer

    Great show…I love the format.

    Although I love pinot, I have to say that Sideways actually got me to drink more merlot. (Yeah, I like to be “other”.)

    QOTD: Fave merlots: probably French ones like Monbousquet and Fleur Cardinale, and some Washington ones like Fielding Hills and Fidelitas.

  • Jason

    Your show simply kicks A$$! Your personality is MADE for the internet/tv/etc. I LOVE the fact that you're down so hardcore with the Jets even though I'm an NFC Vikes guy. Keep up the great work/show and I will ALWAYS be a watcher week-to-week. I have a lonnngggg way to go in terms of catching up on the past episodes, but once I do, you have to do me a favor and expose Mott(sp?). If I don't see him during any of the past episodes then a show with him SEEN for once explaining his zoom technique is a must. 😉 Go Jets! See ya in the superbowl!

  • Avi Hein

    OK, but it’s a different wine. Fusion Red is a blend including merlot whereas the Merlot is more comparable to the other wines tasted.
    I would have picked another wine.

  • DPnCali

    Hey GV. Liked this blind tasting episode. As I said in my comment for the episode before this one, I am brand new to WLTV and just wanted to say again that I love the show. This being a blind tasting episode, I thought it would be appropriate to comment here that I went back and checked out several of your older shows and I ran across episode #607 which was a double blind tasting of wines from the “Other 46”. How about you give that type of show another whirl, huh? I know you weren't having alot of fun with the quality of the wines and all in that show :), but you did pretty well as far as guessing where each wine came from and it was actually kind of fun to watch. Anyway, just a suggestion. Oh and…Go Colts! I know that comment won't win me any favors with you. 😀

  • KennethNDC

    Hey GV(and Vayniacs). I have been lurking for too long and the guilt has overcome me. your show is awesome. I am a wine director for a a restaurant in Washington, DC and I recommend it to anyone interested in wine. It has actually become part of my daily ritual in studying for my Master Sommelier exams. I wish your Jets good Luck in the next few weeks and look forward to a superbowl celebration show.
    QOTD: Without question, a 1983 Petrus from a magnum. A guest brought it into the restaurant. He was solo, and only drank a couple of glasses. The rest went to us fortunate staff members. For new world, I think Buccella makes an unbelievable merlot.

  • audiofan

    Just remember…it's Pinot Manure.

  • Kmurph

    awwwww snap! yes I am around…and thanks for that. I know it was a bit lower of a threshold for Merlot but I thought it might be interesting.

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