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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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  • ctjones44

    I agree, that is a great wine for the price.

  • Illegal_Formation

    I don't mind the occasional short episode, but an epic 4, 6, or 8 bottle brown bag would be kickass.

  • I guess I have to admit that I like that “new world “style of Merlot. Upfront, jammy qualities that show good balance and make your mouth water for more. Laugh if you must but two of my favorites are “181” and Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Merlot. Both under $20.00 and both have, to me, nice mid palate and finish.

  • Great producers but everytime I buy a bottle I feel like I should get a portion of the winery for the amount paid.

  • MFries

    Loved this show…short, concise, wines blew, but who cares? Hilarious…it's these shows that keep me coming back for more…

    last Merlot – Cellar 8 (at the restaurant I work at, don't care for it at all)

  • CharlieTN

    QOTD: Last merlot (90%) was Chateau Haut-Brisson La Reserve St. Emilion 2006. It brought the thunder, of course–actually I drank it to celebrate graduating from college. CKC nevermore! (but still CKC budget)

  • Illegal_Formation

    QOTD: I happened to have a bottle of Merlot open when I sat down to watch the show – a 2006 BV Coastal (ballin' out of control at $6.99). Started off oaky and kind of like a dry-erase marker on the nose, but at the end of the episode — after I let it breathe for 7+ minutes — I started to also get some coffee on the nose and palate with a chalky, pretty dry, mouthfeel. Not very good, but for $7, not awful. The '05 was better.

    I don't think there's anything wrong with a light Merlot. The big red market is covered, and we need some lighter and more versatile options.

  • orangebottle

    sorry the merlots was not as strong as you wanted. I was surprised that Stags Leap didn't bring any thing to the table either. I do like your shirt thou.

  • Vanhern

    Mannina Cellars 2008 merlot…. don't miss it. Farmer Jim

  • Zeepro82

    Best Merlot response to question of the day…2006 Fielding Hills Merlot , which is a single vineyard offering from the Wahluke Slope area of Washington, small production and nice blend of 80 % merlot with some syrah and cabernet , 163 cases.
    Broodingly dark appearance in the glass, just looks rich and inviting.
    The nose gives off lush balanced fruit, blackberry, dark cherry, hints of spice and tobacco and it's screaming ” taste me”.
    On the palate, your hopes are realized, rich and integrated , dark cherry, great weight , giving you that perfect mouthfeel and then I start getting this perfect blackberry custard thing on the finish, holy crap, what a find!!!

    ?The Sip: A mouthful of joy! The black cherry fruit skips across your tongue and then transforms into undertones of smooth violet perfume, that then release themselves to cocoa flavors. The acidic finish brings a nice wash across the back of the mouth as the finish lingers for eternity.

  • Jared

    Had Three Palms '04 Merlot. It was great. Smoke, good bright fruit, and paired well with food. I recommend it.

  • Stan The Wine Man

    Merlot is tough. I find that to find a good one, you have to taste through several mediocre to bad ones. When you find a good one it is usually really good. Over the past three months I have tasted 2 o.k. to poor quality and one outstanding Merlot. San Juan Vineyards 2006 Merlot Yakima Valley. Silky smooth and big on fruit yet not too big. It has nice balance with some green bell pepper notes and nice spice box elements on the finish. It is priced right at twenty-two bucks and is a nice compliment to food although it is smooth enough to go solo. Good show, and no one who is serious about wine should give up on merlot. By the way, if you need a good merlot fix you should look to Washington State. For some reason, there is a lot of good merlot being produced from this part of the globe. Cheers!

  • Wine Doc

    Gary,

    Love your show. Been a lurker for years. This Cali Merlot disaster had me join, because my palette has been gravitating to selected California merlots. Pardon, don't like the vegetable component of French, although their refinement is admirable. Check out Hopper Creek 2005 Napa Valley Merlot. For my taste, the delicious factor and finish are where it's at.

  • Naysen

    QOD-Not exactly 100%, but over 70 I think…

    2004 Château Haut-Brisson
    91+ pts
    2.5+ hr decant @70F. COLOR- dark, opaque, plummy red. NOSE- smelled of nuts and nut shells on opening, a really unique and great bouquet that's since mellowed and moved away from the nuttiness. In the glass now (in order of decreasing intensity) there are deep aromas of violets and flower sap; pan-seared/caramelized beef flesh; crushed pecans; damp and decomposing tropical wood-pulp; cranberry, crushed garlic, and something sweet and dark fruited; a serious nose with great depth and complexity. PALATE- Whew.. that is sour juice. But I can't lie, this is my kind of thing. The mouthfeel and weight here really yield credence to the “Grand” in the Grand Cru designation this dons – very smooth, mercurial, and lithe on the palate w/ a medium+ body that dips ever so slightly in the middle realm. Flavor wise, this isn't for those seeking the gift of fruits (blessing or curse). Rather, this presents a complex lattice of concentrated purple flowers (sap), crushed pecans and walnut shells, and beef bones, marrow, etc. — all submerged in a mouth-puckering, sour medium of raw cranberry extract, small, green, brined pickles, and anchovy juice. This has decent structure, and the tannins are obvious enough, if not a tad integrated. Obviously, acid content is high while alcohol at 12.5% ABV is low. The finish is medium long and tends towards a sweet ending after all that bitterness. More than ready now, this can be cellared to drink within the next 5-7+ years, though I expect the experience to change as you push the outer limits of that range. I wish I had purchased more of these at ~20 bucks. I don't know if I would have appreciated this as much when I purchased it some time ago, but for what I'm yearning for now, this is certainly right up my alley way. The flavor profile of this wine really reminds me of the “2000 Villa di Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba Toscana IGT,” that I think I scored 93 pts. That wine had a lengthier finish and a touch more age and intensity on its side, but both wines share an equally well endowed complexity. The empty glass reeks of earthy mushrooms dripped in Worcestershire sauce — amazing! 91+ points.

  • Dawn9850

    I have always enjoyed Merlot, but lately it has been difficult to find a good one. They're either over oaked or have a fake taste.

  • Pat__B

    QOTD: Duckhorn 2006. I thought it was fantastic. Say what you want, I would drink it again tomorrow if it were $30 cheaper…

  • waynooo daaa wino

    YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!!!!!!

  • waynooo daaa wino

    GIIIIIIIIIMMEEEEEEEEEEEEE SOOOOOOME MERLOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTT!!!!!!!!

  • John

    Merlot is one of my favorite grapes, but almost none of my favorite wines are merlot, if that makes sense. I totally agree about the Stags Leap W.C. Merlot.

    The last merlot I had, I just finished a glass of. “The Crusher” 2008 Clarksburg Merlot. Traditional toasty vanilla from the oak, red fruit, jam on the nose, with about the same on the palate. The bottle is about another day away from turning, so it isn't quite as vibrant as it was when I opened it; that being saidk it's just a duller version of the same thing. There were no subtleties to be lost. Before this, my last merlot was a Barnard Griffin effort, and I wish it was still the last merlot I had tried…

  • ian42

    2006 Gordon Bros Merlot from Washington. I loved it. Liquid pie in my mouth.

  • waynooo daaa wino

    YOOO ASSSSSSHOOOOLLLES, HOW COME I CAN'T USE THE “REPLY” FUNCTION?????
    DISCUS & WLTV BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWZZZZ!!!!
    AHHH HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!
    YOOOOU ALLLLLLLLL SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • howlr5

    Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Merlot- Washington Merlot Rules!!

  • NorCalKing

    QOTD: Last fall we tasted at Towemy (sp?) which bought the Roshambo property. They had some nice Merlot's, well structured, black fruit, a bit of soil, good mouth feel, finish. It's just that the price was a turn off. Should be down closer to 30 bucks….in my opinion.

    “Have mercy! Been wait'in for the bus all day. I got my —– —– — and my take home pay.”- ZZ Top.

    Keep bringin it Gary.

  • Steve_r_vb

    pretty good show gary and just like big and pac you shot both these wines to bits with the ratings vs the price point. i love the brown bags. keep up the killer shows likeing the quick format lately.

  • Looks like someone's got a case of the Mondays : )

  • Carl Mancuso

    I am not drinkin any FFFFing Merlot!!!!

  • Redcuso

    Why don't we all go down to Trader Joe's and find any average bottle of wine for $5 and at least not get ripped off. FFF'ingg Cakebread and the rest of you napa knuckleheads. Just because your grapes are more expensive , does not make you better wine.!!!
    Follow the winemaker America not the winery!!!

  • MagnumGourmet

    QOTD – '05 Atalon Merlot – Napa Valley – Friday, April 02, 2010 – Popped and poured. Lots of cherry and sweet vanilla on the nose. A bit over oaked on the palate. Capped it half way through and will revisit it tomorrow. Withholding judgement at this point. 48 hours later the wood had settled down a bit, but the wine was still fairly one dimensional. There are much better Merlots out there for lower prices. Would not purchase again.

  • Randall

    You, quite simply, ARE the man!! It's like you read my (admittedly gonzo) mind!
    As I've previously said, I don't drink a whole lotta Merlot, but when I find a good one… Wow!
    Wash. has been a good region, and I also don't rule out some more exotic locales…
    A really good and true effort easily stands up to a Cab, and that's not always so easy to do…

  • Randall

    In-Freakin'-Deed!!

  • Randall

    Check my recent review of their '06 Syrah… Absolute THUNDER for the price… Enough to merit a re-posting, just in case it was still available at T.J.s…

    “Pencil box, chocolate, dark fruit, some veggies even (broc & brusl sprts), maybe some melon, and black tea on the nose…
    Big tea, chocolate and dried fruit (blk cherry, etc) in a nicely structured med. mouthfeel, w/ a nice “medium-long” finish (but llllooonnnggg enough!) Did I mention a BIG tea flavor?!?” 😉

  • jason carey

    Just remember folks some of the greatest wines in the world are St Emillion and Pomerols, mostly Merlot.. dont hate on the merlot

  • jason carey

    Oh I had an amazing Merlot from Paumanok.

  • ilbee

    Can't even remember the last time I had a Merlot. In Finland most new world Merlots available are from Chile/Australia/Argentina/US and cost max. 10 ?. So no wonder they're all crap/mediocre at best since the prices mostly consist of transportation costs and taxes. The closest thing to a Merlot I remember drinking lately was a cheapo Bdx Ch Senilhac (Merlot 40% 🙂 which was actually surprisingly good for its 13,58 ? price

  • Jrouss

    Last Merlot was a Burnside Merlot 2007, Sonoma county
    Color: Deep reddish-purple
    Nose: Cherry
    Palate: Very cherry and soft tannins
    Finish: Long cherry and vanilla finish
    I would rate it an 89

  • eacarrr2

    Twomey Merlot! Believe it's a Silver Oak second lable or somehow related to them. As far as recent merlot I've tasted, it's pretty darn good. Also, Palhmeyer makes some damn good merlot, although it's quite pricey.

  • Hey Gary

    Thanks. Mmmmm not getting good value from those big Nappa names are we?

    QOTD: sorry I have no idea … maybe something in a right bank blend???

    Cheers
    Andrew

  • zanne_70

    QOTD: The last merlot I tasted was at Domaine de Ravanès, one of my all-time favorite producers. A little bit big but still with enough freshness to keep it from being a total fruit bomb.

  • YoungDave

    R-O-U-G-H SHOW… but I am still pullin' for Merlot.

    QOTD: I included one in the “Flight of the Night” that I put together at Tasca Wine Bar while working (there) tonight.
    **2003 Meinert Merlot, Devon Valley (sub-appellation of Stellenbosch) South Africa. CHEERS!

  • Have you tasted Reynolds Family, Blankiet, Robert Foley, or Pahlmeyer?

  • Had that 95 Berringer about 2 years ago. Thought it was really solid stuff.
    I had the 2008 Leonetti about 2 months ago; have to say I was a bit under impressed by it. It was good, but nothing wowing for me.

  • Really want to try one of Quilcedas Merlots, especially since they no longer make it.
    Have had the 03 06 and 07 main wine, and have really enjoyed it (especially the 03 and 07).

  • I’m usually not a big Aussie fan (there’s a few I dig, most recently got turned onto Shirvington), and especially not a big Mollydooker fan, but I had a 2005 Carnival of Love in May that was showing nicely. It was a big boy, but had a nice balance. I don’t know if I was in a weird mood that night, but I preferred it to the other wines I had that night, which I thought I would have liked better (03 Chesler, 98 Pebys Faugeres, 03 Poggio di salvi, 95 clerc milon, 04 Ramey Larkmead Cab). Neither of the Bordeauxs were showing as well as the last time I had them.

  • Anonymous

    Aaron, thanks for the suggestions, especially the Reynolds. I will check them out. Those are all great brands, but pricey. But with your advise I may try one.

    Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

    —– Reply message —–

  • Gary, the Shocker to start the show, then slide in the Hit?em up/ Who Shot ya reference, and finish it all off with a little blind tasting! Awesome.

    QOTD: Merlot, I used to love the stuff. It was the first red wine I ever tasted, but as time passed I fell victim to the wine snobs pushing Cab Sav. I started looking at Merlot like a mini-truck; you know, fun to take a whirl but don?t let your friends catch you. However, after the bottle of Grenache on Friday night, I remembered what I loved about Merlot. (ie: Berries, Medium body, light tannin, easy to drink). So last night on my way out for dinner I?m thinking about a few glasses with my old buddy Merlot. I decided to check out the Issimo bar? ?Taxi? errrrrrrrek ?Driver, the Hilton Dubai Creek please?. (A nice expat bar if you are in town. The staff there are awesome! They even made me my own Creaser Dressing w/o anchovies after I balked on the first bite of my chicken salad (W/ Pinot Grigio)). After my meal, I selected a glass of 2009 Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Merlot from Australia, unrated. The color is a little on the light side, and the nose was funky right out of the bottle High school gym locker-room funky, but after about 30 minuets in the glass you can really smell the wax, like those little coke bottle candies, lots of red currant and hints of blueberry. Mouth feel was med/light but those berries that were on the nose were tough to find on the palette. Unfortunately, this wine?s finish was blazing hot. Like pass the torch and roast some marshmallows off my nose. I went 80 points on this, but did learn something? even ?bad? wine makes me feel better after a long day.

    Keep up the good work.

  • works for me…maybe it's you…just sayin' 🙂

  • ChrisV

    Merlot's problem is the sheer quantity of bad wines made with the grape. There are very good wines as well but it's a signal to noise issue. And Merlot requires some nice fruit and a bit of finesse to make good wines. It's not like Syrah where any idiot with a crusher and some oak barrels can turn out an OK wine.

  • bobbytiger

    Wow, that was painful to watch. But not as painful had I spent the money for one of those bottles of wine.
    QOTD= My last bottle of Merlot, (about 2 weeks ago), was a 2005 Napa River, Napa Valley CA.
    No, I probably won't knock off anyones socks, but it looks like wine, (medium red), smells like wine, (cherries?), and taste like wine, (medium-bodied, mostly on the mid-pallet).
    But, for $6.00 a bottle at Trader Joes, I had no problem putting it down, and will do so again, and again.

  • Just Jack

    Randall. Having missed that review, what was the price on that TJ Syrah? Are they still selling their whole line sub $5?

  • Just Jack

    lol Waynoo.

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