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EP 833 Washington Merlot and Twitter Tasting

Gary wanted to join in on the Twitter tasting for Washington Merlot, going on Thursday March 25th. Grab a bottle of WA State Merlot, use the hashtag #WAMerlot , and start tweeting next Thursday to share your thoughts on these wines!

Wines tasted in this episode:

2008 Charles Smith Velvet Devil MerlotColumbia Valley Merlot
2005 Bergevin Lane MerlotColumbia Valley Merlot
2005 Long Shadows PedestalColumbia Valley Merlot

Links mentioned in todays episode.


Latest Comment:

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luca bercelli

87/100

line of the day – ‘If you ever had rusty nail juice, you’ll know what I’m talking about’

GV seemed a bit bored in this episode; either that or as he said, he was tired

Tags: merlot, red, review, Video, washington state, wine, wines

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  • Anonymous

    Good flick. Yes, it’s worth it…it all about the bouquet…and the depression when it breaks!

  • castello

    Do you like Cabernet? Even Robert Parker can't always tell a right bank from a left bank.

  • NY Pete

    where's SS Chris?

  • and considering that the prevoius show was St Emilion Merlot based and those are called Bordeaux blends 🙂

  • I like Columbia valley merlot. Columbia Crest had a good 01 vintage for around 10 bones. The 02 Keenan Reserve was good and you can probably still find the 05 Twenty Rows. I finished a case of 01 Kings Family Estate, which is located in Monticello, Virginia where some pretty good merlots are produced. The 02 KFE merlot was harsh at the time. Might be just right now.

  • ex_Cuse88

    QOTD: Temple.

  • philanderson

    I met Amber Lane a couple of years ago at a Walla Walla Walkabout wine tasting event. I enjoyed this episode! As for your QOTD: I'm going with Gonzaga to make the final four. That's pretty Cinderella-ish. Purdue to beat Maryland, 74-68 in the final.

  • bethiflorist

    Nice blog. Just gone through the Washington Merlot and Twitter Tasting ? Episode #833. I enjoyed watching it.Keep on posting 🙂 Colonialgifts.co.uk

  • MarcBelgium

    First of all I'm not a merlot drinker. I think it's a boring grape with no depth. You can drink it without thinking, while watching the television. (DONT DO THAT, wine is to existing to mingle with trash.)
    Nevertheless, I tried some Merlots. I had Petrus 1970 and 1973. I was not blown away.
    I tried others, younger ones, not that expensive but never had a wow feeling.
    Meanwhile I stopped trying. And I have no intension to change my mind after this episode.
    I remember a former episode entirely on Merlot. Not one was judged good.

    QOTD. I don't know what you talking about.

  • audiofan

    I bet I know the answer, but did you happen to decant the Pedestal? I have had this wine 4-5 times over the last year and have found it to be a completely different animal with 3-4 hours in the decanter. On the single occasion I had it without the additional time to 'breathe', it did seem somewhat out of balance. This wine has the stuffing (IMO)
    to last (and improve) for 10-12 years, and in a cool cellar last until 2020. This merlot is still young, and all the necessary components are there to be outstanding in another 2-3 years.

  • audiofan

    I'd take that bet! ;-]

  • audiofan

    I second that. Would like to see him pour 'The Creator' , MCK, or some of the higher-end single-vineyard Syrah's.

  • MarcBelgium

    I just watched the episode with Charles Smith.
    AWESOME. I would like to buy his Ovide wine.
    Can someone help me, I'm from Belgium and can't find it in Europe.

  • Anonymous

    I agree that the Quilceda Cab is considered one of the best in the world, but the Merlot they produce is probably one of the best domestically and has a length that can rival the cab in certain years. I have tried Leonetti and have liked their wines quite a bit in the past. If you like Leonetti have you heard of Doubleback? A new project fronted by Drew Bledsoe with Chris Figgins (Leonetti winemaker) as the winemaker, the first release went out by mailing list last month.
    I have not heard of Airfield Estates, sounds like I’ll have to search them out, thanks!

  • audiofan

    Here's a REAL QOTD: How many more years until we can hear the word “Merlot” without fear of hearing “Sideways” soon after??? Lead the way here, Gary – start a movement to officially and permanently banish it from the collective lexicon! After all, it wasn't REALLY meant to turn people off to merlot, even if some 'I-need-Hollywood-to-tell-me-what's cool' people actually thought it would make them look 'hip' if they ditched it in favor of Pinot. I mean, these are people who chose to model their drinking habits on a character like 'Miles?!? He drank out of a spit bucket! They probably moved on to something like Malbec LONG ago, and are embarrassed by the memory! Please, people, lets help them complete their recovery and NEVER associate “Sideways” (the movie) with Merlot (the wine) again! Have Mercy!!!! (And yes, I read the book, I 'get' the symbolism, etc, but I'm only HALF joking here – it is kinda getting old)

  • audiofan

    I'd be shocked if you ever find it over there; maybe the best bet is to get on his mailing list. Most of his top-tier wines are very limited and difficult to locate.

  • Do watch the other 832 episodes too

  • kasperhip

    You hit the nail on the head here Audiofan. I was thinking the exact same thing when Gary mentioned sideways AGAIN in this episode. I figure it must have been huge at WL back when the film came out, or otherwise he wouldn't keep bringing it up.

    I totally agree that he should stop refering to it immediately, or he'll be the one that kept the stupid sentiments about merlot alive. I would have forgotten long ago if it hadn't been for Gary, and on top of that I NEVER met anyone who would choose a particular wine because of sideways (or any other movie for that matter).

    STOP REFERING TO SIDEWAYS, GARY!!!

  • Since I implied that 12 hours ago, I agree. Move on! let's try all grapes for what they are and not for something Hollywood mumbled 6 years ago

  • sorry, teh only smith wine in Eurpoe at the moment is the Skull 2005 and the Old bones 2005. at least that I could find and they ar 200 bones 🙂 a bottle

  • huskerjamie

    Temple to the final four.

  • DAveAll

    Yes. Cabernet. any other grape. Red, white, sweet dry, doesn't matter, I can find food that I like with it. But not Merlot.

  • Waits

    I think i can help…… Go to smv.dk, well it's in Denmark, but it's in europe! I've just checked Ovide is there. Hope i was of help to you.

  • Waits

    smv.dk

  • Waits

    smv.dk

  • MarcBelgium

    Thank you very much. I already sent a mail to the seller.
    BTW, I used WinesearcherPro and Vinopedia to search the wine but did not get a match. How did you find this seller?

  • MarcBelgium

    Thank you very much. I already sent a mail to the seller.
    BTW, I used WinesearcherPro and Vinopedia to search the wine but did not get a match. How did you find this seller?

    —–Oorspronkelijk bericht—–
    Van: Disqus [mailto:]
    Verzonden: donderdag 18 maart 2010 13:38
    Aan: [email protected]
    Onderwerp: [wltv] Re: Washington Merlot and Twitter Tasting ? Episode #833

    Waits wrote, in response to MarcBelgium:

    I think i can help…… Go to smv.dk, well it's in Denmark, but it's in europe! I've just checked Ovide is there. Hope i was of help to you.

    Link to comment: http://tv.winelibrary.com/2010/03/17/washington…

    —–
    Options: Respond in the body to post a reply comment.

    To turn off notifications, go to: http://disqus.com/account/notifications/

  • theDude

    I'm officially on board with audiofan, AndersN and others regarding Sideways. I loved the movie but its time to quit talking about it. I bet GV doesn't want me to bring up the Jets “Flying Lawn Mower” game all the time.

  • Waits

    Well i come from Denmark, so i know my way around.

  • Tight ep…under 10 with 3 wines. My last WA Merlot was a Walla Walla, though I haven't had one in about 6 months or so. Not sure how I feel about “The Sideways Effect.” Part of me thinks that people that are not really into wine may lead into conversations with it as part of American pop culture. Otherwise, it would be interesting to see a survey of American drinkers to find out what and why they're drinking which varietals.

    QOTD: Would like to see Temple go far.

  • CharlieTN

    Tennessee!

  • mattgmann

    QOTD: I think the Utah St and Sienna are going to bust out firtst round upsets against Texas A&M and Purdue and meet in the second round. Whoever wins will get chicken kicked by Duke in the sweet 16. I'll say Utah State.

  • mattgmann

    Also looking as butler as a sleeper to beet Cuse and sneak into the elite 8.

  • I like Merlot wine.

  • I typed in on here the other day, I'm saying it again: Baylor in the Final 4, losing to Syracuse.

    Sleepers: Cornell and Tennessee

    PS. Just heard on ESPNU the editor from Playboy is picking Baylor to go far because Colt McCoy's girlfriend goes there and is smoking hot. Yet another reason to justify…

  • scottEJ

    When looking for American Merlot, I would go WA over any other state any day for QPR and bang/buck ratio. Good to great CA merlot can't be found for under 50. WA merlot is standard in the 20-30 range.

    QOTD: UTEP.

  • hokiewino

    If I'm going to grab a Merlot it is definitely going to be from WA.

    QOTD: Even though they are a number 3 seed, watch out for georgetown. I think Baylor could also go really far, watch out for the upset of Villanova.

  • Richie

    QOTD: Nothing because you guys don't ship to Germany.

  • Lb_in_KS

    Me thinks, a good call on Baylor. But @ a 3 seed, not sure it qualifies as a Cinderella? They've been tough all year this year. Staying in Texas…maybe Tex A&M or Georgia Tech….let the games begin! oh wait…looks like they have…YEA!!!!

  • I actually don't see any team higher than a 2 or three making the final 4. My bracket is fairly chalk laiden. I would have had Ohio State winning any other bracket except the one that they were in. They got jobbed on the seeding.

    So to answer the QOTD, I will say that the on Cinderella this March will be the next great deal that you put op on Cinderella Wine.

  • QOTD: VT?

  • Mention of sideways, but no merlove for rudy? C'mon!
    http://www.merlove.com/

  • BrooklynPaul

    BTW GV, shouldn't you have just posted this episode on the day of the Merlot@twitfest?

  • mattgmann

    lol@foreign misunderstanding of cinderella

  • jayhitek

    QOTD: Did you pull that question from msn.com?

  • cellarrat5

    This is one issue I believe everyone can agree on. Gary is obviously trying to distance Merlot from the movie, however, inadvertently reminding people of the issue. I (and apparently 7 other people) am on board with this boycott.

  • tcatjo

    Texas A&M

  • BrettFavre

    Great show. San Diego State

  • Vay-ku

    Disappointing wine,
    Fruit salad in auto shop.
    Need Walla Walla.

    QOTD: I realize that the games are going on right now, but I'm looking at my bracket and see that I have BYU (who won today) in the Elite Eight and Murray State (currently tied) in the Sweet 16.

  • Bill_Murray

    Really glad you tried the Long Shadows Pedestal dude, i have seen that bottle a number of times and have always really wanted to try it because i thought it would be good but never dropped the 40 spot to do it. Washington Merlot (well, Merlot blends) hold a place in my heart after Spring Valley Vinyards Uriah. I would recommend that bottle to anyone, it is awesome every year IMO.

    QOTD: Notre Dame . . . wait, what? Oh no

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