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EP 874 Head to Head Merlot Blind Tasting

Gary Vaynerchuk continues the blind tasting theme and tries out two Merlots with some interesting results.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Cakebread MerlotNapa Merlot
2006 Stags Leap W.c. MerlotNapa Merlot

Links mentioned in todays episode.


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luca bercelli

89/100

Lines of the day – ‘You got to give a guy credit, Mott, am I doing some good stuff here or what’

‘this is about the worst $100 we’ve put on the show in a while’

Crap wines, good show. Glad that GV panned the Cakebread blind, a wine he’s always referring to as not one of his favourites

Tags: merlot, napa, red, review, wine, wines

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  • Merlot Rocks it

  • Cubatobaco (Ray)

    Second!

    Cant wait to see who wins the battle of the Big Names!

  • <ul type='square'><li>2006 Mollydooker Merlot The Scooter – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (6/13/2008)
    AVERAGE

    The scent is over ripe currant with medicinal undertones give me concern for an over ripened Aussie Shiraz fruit bomb. Something I would never want in my Merlot. Same with the palate with some coffee notes. With all the hype over these wines I am extremely dissapointed. The finish is a long hot bomb like the rest with tiny hints of tabacco but not enough to bring it around.

    EtOH 15.5% (79 pts.)</li></ul>

    Posted from CellarTracker

  • castello

    top ten!

  • njc2o

    FOURT

    i had a big merlot extravaganza tasting to clear out some old stock. big boy was a 2001 duckhorn, but lots of fun going on.

    might do an artesa and a bordeaux blind here soon.. WILL UPDATE

  • njc2o

    seems to me like no one won

  • Huh! that was really early. I'm not ready to go to bed yet it's only 9 pm 😉
    7 min, tight. Hows the new book going?
    Kmurph fooled ya good 🙂 No mondays don't bother me as much as tuesday's
    QOTD: Have to go back to january to get a pure Merlot. 2007 Domaine Lalande Réserve Merlot. 86 p Flowery smell with dreid plum and licorice behind that. . Not getting much else from the wine. Very silky on the palate, lots of fruit at first, plum, blackberry and even some blackcurrant. Tannins not that evident, a bit flat on the mid palate. Back end is more jam like with plum and blackberry flavour. Very silky. Nice wine but the flat middle part bothers me

  • nitaT

    hmmm… yes this is why I stay away from California Merlot. Old world is much more interesting to me.
    QOTD: BUT I had a California Merlot 07, Folie a' Deux — I seriously didnt think it was from California. Very affordable and good.

  • ProfessorB

    I'm sure Gary knows this but a show where the wines score badly does not mean a bad show. For example I'm not a big Napa guy so I didn't know Stags Leap WC tended toward old world styled wines (I'm guessing this from the way Gary reacted). Useful info for those of us that always end up ordering off Cali-dominated restaurant lists (is it possible to be a 'wine nerd' without knowning the first thing about Cali Cab?).

    QOTD: Chat Grand Corbin Despagne 2006 (75% merlot I think). Somewhat modern-styled with red and blue fruits, loam, and oak. Surprisingly open for its age and no decant, but perhaps unsurprisingly a bit rough on the back end. 88-89 now, though it wouldn't surprise me if this shut down for awhile in coming months.

  • Nice short and sweet…

    QOTD: have not had a Merlot lately… maybe it's time to pull a '05 Chateau La Pointe… still have 11 left…

  • jlilley

    QOTD: Last Merlot was an '04 Quilceda Creek, that I opened with some friends on their anniversary. There was nothing light or subtle about it… big, full and rich– drinking very nicely!

  • Jparadisee

    Good tight show again…loving the brown bags and enjoyed the “review” or your weekend 😉

    QotD: The last merlot I had was the 2007 Code Noir from Mouton Noir Wines made by Andre Mack. I think it has a touch of Petit Verdot and Malbec but it is mostly Merlot. And it is an awesome Merlot. The nose was pure candy like skittles and twizzlers but on the palette it isn't sweet it's got a great structure and really nice long dry finish. Kind of shocks you after the sugary nose. FYI you must must get the Mack on the show. You had him at Per Se as a Som but the man is pumping out some serious wine now as a vintner so it's time for a visit.

  • Cubatobaco (Ray)

    Pretty good episode, GV! I had struggled with buying a Merlot the last few times I've been to the wine store and Stag's Leap is one that always stares at me. I know you say to trust my own palate, but your palate and mine are pretty close.

    QOTD: I haven't had a Merlot in a while…sorry no review. Maybe I should get one? Suggestions?

    26 DAYS TIL THE PARTY!!!!

  • Cubatobaco (Ray)

    The last Molldooker I had, I could have breathed fire!

  • ONUMello

    Having played in band throughout high school and college? What if, just throwing this out there, a group of people did the WLTV theme LIVE at the tasting to be taped at the 7/10 party? Could anyone else dust some instruments off? I could probably figure out/arrange the parts.

    GV, why your tweet “enough Merlot Bashing WATCH!” when these apparently deserve to be bashed?

    QOTD: (Disclaimer: overall I'm not a merlot fan, nothing to do with any movies, just my palate) The last merlot I had was from the #WAmerlot tasting on twitter. I had the 2005 Duck Pond Merlot Fries Family Cellars Desert Wind Vineyard. My notes: Nice bouquet of mint chocolate, soft palate with raspberries leading to a sour cherry finish. 86 points.

  • Liz

    I love Merlot! WA Merlots!

  • DCBoudin

    KMurph seems to do a very good job of picking wines Gary V doesn't particularly like. Only 1 well ranked brown bagger according to Gary V, and he didn't like the wines she picked for a couple of recent guests. If I ever go to WL, should I stay away from KMurph? Or is my palate more like hers and unlike Gary V's? I know I don't like overoaked cabs or chardonnays…

    Last merlot i had is one I frequently have from Clos Pegase.

  • Love merlot!!!

    The last merlot that I had was a 2007 Cannonball merlot from Napa Valley.
    Rich with flavors of dark berries, cocoa, cherry pie with hints of vanilla, carmel & cinnamon. Full and elegant on the palate.

    This is Dennis Hill (King of merlot from the good Blackstone days before it got swallowed up by a big corporation,) new winery.

    Wait…this wine is not in the market yet, but I was fortunate enough to taste a barrel sample a few months ago. That wine would be release in the fall.
    Can't wait to get a bottle and dive in…!

  • Last Merlot was Mollydooker Scooter Merlot which was bold, hot, really earthy and not very well balanced. I wouldn't recommend it but if you do have it, it's a must have with food. Otherwise don't even give it a shot!

    Enjoyed the episode! We have all been there Gary especially with Merlot. To me they have been hit or miss lately, but I still <3 them.

  • Jay if your cellar is too crowded, that La Pointe can come hang at my house for a while 🙂

  • I agree totally!

  • Allan

    “Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream…….”

    Let's rock it, with them bags……. 🙂

  • Allan

    You have missed a button G, i'm just sayin'…

  • Here you go Gary V. The last Merlot I did. 2006 Sebastiani Alexander Valley Merlot. I love this one
    http://norcalwingman.com/2010/04/03/2006-sebast…

  • paryb

    I had a couple merlots over the weekend, cheap stuff though. “The Crusher” merlot, and “Cupcake Vineyards”

    Neither one of them were life changing by any means, but they were pretty solid 9.99 wine

    the cupcake was pretty smooth, the tannins were a tad sweet, but over all it was cherry juice with a tiny bit of cofee…totally drinkable, but probably a 83…though I don't like judging everyday wine on the same scale as amazing special occasion wine…if that makes sense.

    The Crusher…don't remember much, except it did actually have some barnyard, but it was kinda messy. Still, good chili dog wine.

  • Allan

    84 & 88, yes… Short term memory works well….!!!

  • sethsethy

    The last merlot i remember having is 2005 Toad Hollow Reserve. It was 15 bucks and very different than merlots ive had before then. It was like almost 15% alcohol yet tasted sugary with black cherry being the dominant flava.

    I still want to try Stag's Leap, but its always like $50. Too much for a broke joe like me 🙁

  • Amsgpwarrior

    Good showdown of the big names of merlot. I always see these two high priced merlots in the stores and always wondered how they tasted. Never bought them because I prefer smaller producers of merlot with artisanal styles. Still to this day I haven't been impressed with any Cakebread products, and I have never had any Stag's Leap but have contemplated buying the Petite Sirah. Ne ways,…..Almost crapped myself at the thought of Paraguay beating my Azzurri. Just tied it up, hell yeah!!!

    QOTD: Gundlach Bundschu Merlot. Soft and supple with good fruit and oak. Nothing spectacular but is reliable hooch in a lot of bars and restaurants. Drank a lot of $10-20 2005 Bordeaux's and hated every single one of them.

  • Allan

    Nice show, and once again overpriced and probably overhyped as well. That sucks!

    Last Merlot,,,,, hmmmmm,,,,,,, thinkin',,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,OK

    Planeta Merlot of Italiy (Sicily) Darn good stuff. You should try it G, Try NEW things, HEHE

    with love Allan 🙂

  • SamKw

    GV, don't be afraid to contradict the big critics. As long as you keep on calling things like you them, you will continue to bring the thunder for me.

    QOTD: I've had 2 merlot-based wines in the last couple of weeks, which I've also reviewed on Cellartracker.
    1. 2000 Chateau Sansonnet
    (The nose that exuded from the wine as it was being decanted was just so inviting. More aromas emerge as the wine opens up. The wine is driven by an ample amount of dark fruit, with leather, cedar, graphite, and a slight hint of decomposing hay thrown in. Classic Bordeaux style; quite expressive yet well-balanced at this stage. I imagine it's more or less ready now. 91pts)
    2. 2007 Bruce Wayne Ella's Blend
    (Tastes and smells somewhat like a slightly spiced blueberry pie – the oak definitely has a presence, but it stops short of being overwhelming and is counterbalanced by ripe black fruit. Relatively basic, but it is what it should be and certainly likeable at $12. Good to drink now with some decanting time. 88pts)
    As you can see, I was actually quite pleased with my recent merlot experiences. Shame that the wines today didn't quite rock the table today.

  • Cupcake was my last Merlot as well. I feel precisely the same way about it.

  • last merlot I remember was from Andrew Will's blind tasting club. Nothing life changing (as most merlots are for me) but went well with pizza and everyone loved it. Pretty one dimensional…

  • Allan

    Ok G, here's my wishlist:

    1) A Sasha show.
    2) A Rheingau Riesling show.
    3) A win for Denmark in the world cup, how “#¤%& can it be. . . . . . 🙂

  • Allan

    Merlot=pazzz

    some can be good, so i agree 100

  • John__J

    Hope you had fun at the Meadowlands Gary.

    qotd: What a time for that question, just had 1 not worth bragging about. A Red Rock 2007 “reserve” from California I got for free that costs about $10 I'd imagine. Not something I'd ever look for again now that I've had it, simple, straightforward, not much of a finish, not horrible, plum, dark cherry, low tannins about as good as I'd expected I guess.

    As a side note, it seems that every wine maker and his/her brother is slapping the term “reserve” on their labels these days. I've seen some '09's with “reserve” listed on the label.
    A term I never put a lot of stock in, and Really don't now. Perhaps that term should be regulated.

  • Allan

    Had any good Merlots lately? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

  • John__J

    Very possible to be a wine nerd without knowing or being into Cali Cab I'd say.

  • winecrazy

    Yo Homey….. that was a surprise to see those two producers bring less that thunder….in fact they couldn't even hope for rain or thunder for that matter doing a rain dance in the middle of the The Navajo Nation Indian Reservation with all the tribe members put together……….LOL

    I liked the show though. You are still verey good at bring the thunder to us anywa regardless of what wines you're tasting.

    QOTD: I had a 2007 Pahmeyer merlot and I'm going to have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I figured another great producer is going to shove a 3 pack on me mailing list wise just to off it to me before having it sit on the shelves of many a great wine shop but Noooooooooooo as Waaaaaayno would say. This was a big smooth luscious juicy yet not big on the tannis well structured type wine. Nice mid palate and nice finish. All around good merlot…..no wait, it was great now that I think about it. It had that dark fruit factor we were picking up on that last wine if you remember comparing it to the second which was more red fruit. it's dark!!

    The Pahlmeyer gets a 95 in my book. It was really a great merlot, Maybe even a 96. But what do I know…I just like the big juicy POW!!!!! in your face fruit bombs. But I do reemember ordering more once I opened my three pack to taste it so. I recommend it. And I do not recommend many merlots……except of course Duckhorn…. 🙂 The Pahlmeyer is of course more $$$$ but worth it..!!!!!

  • John__J

    Would love to see Sasha again too. A SIR Gary V cameo would be icing.

  • winecrazy

    Oh PS…….. I love that Cindy Pomerol….!!!!!!! That is some good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!

  • slave2thevine

    QOTD: Here you are GV.

    [list][*][url=http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=82244][b]2002 Rampa di Fugnano Gisèle Toscana IGT[/b][/url][i] – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (5/2/2010)[/i]
    [i][url=http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=10800]Is Kirk leaving? (With Photos) (Sips Restaurant in Southwest Harbor, ME)[/url][/i]: Color: Ruby

    Smell: Earth, cedar, funk, coffee, tobacco, and dark fruits.

    Taste: Red fruit, red vines licorice, and hints of clove.

    Overall: A very interesting wine that shines in what it offers. Great acid/tannin/fruit structure that could easily last another 5+ years with proper storage. [i][b](90 pts.)[/b][/i][/list]
    [i]Posted from [url=http://www.cellartracker.com]CellarTracker[/url][/i]

  • slave2thevine

    It's helpful to hear your thoughts…while I think we are looking for a polar opposite style of wine…if you enjoy something then it might be safe to assume that it would be a tad too robust for what I like. Great to see you on the show too…

  • amsgpwarrior

    Yeah that's pretty much how a lot fo the Molly's stack up.

  • dsallen

    Love the brownbags! Even the disappointing ones interest me, GV.

    QOTD: I can't even remember…

  • dsallen

    Oh, and I like the length of this episode!

    2010 Winelibrarytv Merlot H2H
    Notes: At 7 minutes it's a little lighter than other WLTVs, but has an interesting mid-palate. I liked the finish. 87 pts DS

  • Cubatobaco (Ray)

    Good call

    This response was prior to watching.

  • LindseyN

    GaryV,
    Do you think you could do a sake brownbag tasting? Sake needs more love on your show.

    QOTD: Haven't had a lot of Merlot thats grabbed my attention. I've had Bordeaux that was 40% Merlot and 60% Cab Franc and I really enjoyed it.

  • paulkochevar

    Love the brown bags…keep them coming!
    QOTD: 2006 Lambert Bridge Merlot Sonoma County
    Good fruit on the start, silky mid, nice finish thanks to a little cab. Actually bought a bottle after tasting at their tasting room last month. Maybe starting a small Merlot trend in my cooler??

  • NY Pete

    hey hey

  • pawncop

    I really enjoy the head to head blind evaluations.

    QOTD – the last Merlot I had was (for my palate anyway) was a very nice offering from the Ballesteri Winery in Colorado. We purchased this last year when we were in Denver for a baseball game at Coors Field where I got to see Tulo (Troy Tulowitski, their shortstop) hit for the cycle.

    I enjoy Merlot, and as in all varietals the joy is in the quest of finding the offerings that suit me the best.

    Thank you for all you do in helping me enjoy these wines.

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