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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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  • Phaser

    Merlots are really my favorite. Thanks for the show and yes they seem very hard to pick.

    QOTD Beringer 2007 Merlot, Double Dog Dare Merlot 200??? The Beringer is a bit more merlotish (if that is a word), but the triple D is just plain fun.

  • castello

    Congrats! I used to play 8 ball every day. Haven't played much for the last couple years. How does wine affect your game? 🙂

  • castello

    Good question Larsabeinet. Points seem to be every where. It's what sells wine I guess.

  • gotsha

    If the shoe fits…

    Columbia Crest Merlot…8 bucks….'nuff said.

  • Anonymous

    Organic! And good -chock full of ripe fruit, and not flabby wine.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, it’s from Ray Duncan, of Silver Oak. But his late partner, Justin Meyer, founder of Silver Oak never wanted to make Merlot. He just wanted to make the best Cab that could be made here (America). I pretty much think he succeeded in that, for the day and age. All the Cuvees, and possibly most every vintage. I thought that Twomey was over oaked. But I don’t know if it goes through the old Silver Oak guarantee of 30 months in 100% new American Oak, and I don’t even know if that holds true for the Cab anymore. But I still like the Cab. Esp. pricing on the Alexander Valley.

  • Anonymous

    So sad to hear that. Michael Havens’ was, for years, my number one reccomendation for people at $20 level. I recall that Truchard was one of the prime sources.

  • johnfasc

    qotd: worthy 2005 – love the sticks.

  • subdaimon

    Interesting, the Stag's Leap was a nice twist. Cakebread always wreaks of over the top new world IMO.

    Last Merlot was a local product: Channing Daughters Over & Over: Variation Three – An NV Merlot based not only on a Ripasso method, but with a Solera system, interesting to say the least. On the lighter side of medium bodied, dark red fruit was highlighted with black pepper and a touch of oak. Pretty bone dry, good acidity, nice balance overall. Rolled at around 31 bones.

  • have not had a merlot for a while, but its not because i dont drink merlot!

  • Allan

    When in tournament NO wine. This is a serious sport!

    But i believe it would affect it in a bad way… 🙂

    My forces are 9-ball & 14:1 i was once Danish Champion in both the same year! So you could say i have been doing a bit of playin’ myself… But lately it’s been all Snooker, haven’t played pool for 3 years now.

  • Randall

    Yyeeesssss… but they're STILL good for quick reference…
    We work the same way on the BJCP beer judging scale (1-50, w/ a 43 being equivalent to a 93). It's not Gospel, just a guide…

  • Randall

    As much as I've loved Disqus…
    PLEASE FIX OR TRASH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Randall

    CAN'T REPLY!!!!!!!!!!
    CAN'T COMMENT (hardly)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    CAN'T STAY LOGGED IN FOR SH**!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Dibs

    Hey, weirdly enough, I was just talking to my wife about the fact that I over drank Merlot as a young man when I first started drinking wine (or anything for that matter) and I ruined my perspective on it and moved on to other wines that appealed to me more. So lasHey, weirdly enough, I was just talking to my wife about the fact that I over drank Merlot as a young man when I first started drinking wine (or anything for that matter) and I ruined my perspective on it and moved on to other wines that appealed to me more. So last night I picked up a bottle of Inniskillin, 2006 Merlot and, to quote Wayne Gretzky, “I like it”.

    Also, I love the show. My brother turned me onto it about a month ago and the first night I sat down with a bottle and watch at least 10 episodes. Great approach.

    Dibs. (Mission, B.C.)t night I picked up a bottle of Inniskillin, 2006 Merlot and, to quote Wayne Gretzky, “I like it”.

    Also, I love the show. My brother turned me onto it about a month ago and the first night I sat down with a bottle and watch at least 10 episodes. Great approach.

    Dibs. (Mission, B.C.)

  • The last Merlot I had was bad. It was a corked bottle. It smelled it and damn tasted it. I don't remember the label though or where it come from. The bottle had been given to me as a re-gift from a friend who didn't like wine. So it apparently at around before they decided pawn it off to me.

  • pcommon

    Best Melot in a long time was the Meroi from northeast Italy..a CW purchase…absolutely gorgeous..restored my faith in the grape…I nicknamed it the poor man's Pomerol to my friends..now they're buying it and agree…great juice…

  • Paz Levinson

    last merlot I had is the Mainqué Merlot 2008, really better than 2007, I like it more. more red fruit, something fresh in the nose, mint, spices. really nice. Its from a vineyard in the south of Argentina, Patagonia in a place called Mainqué. the producer is Bodegas Chacra. I will love to see you tasting bodegas Chacra wines (thy focus in pinot noir). I also would love to be the 10th of july in the party but Argentinian money and the visa are two big big problems down here!!

  • paz levinson

    last merlot I had is the Mainqué Merlot 2008, really better than 2007, I like it more. more red fruit, something fresh in the nose, mint, spices. really nice. Its from a vineyard in the south of Argentina, Patagonia in a place called Mainqué. the producer is Bodegas Chacra. I will love to see you tasting bodegas Chacra wines (thy focus in pinot noir). I also would love to be the 10th of july in the party but Argentinian money and the visa are two big big problems down here!!

  • murso

    No biggie. I love Merlot. Whether or not I'd spend over $50 on Cakebread anything (prob. not), every time I'd tasted that Merlot, it's pretty good. I know numerous great (delicious) performers for less (even MUCH less). No foul on their part. They are who they are, and they are well respected, and sought after -esp. on wine lists across America, by noobs who 'think' that they are 'the best'. And by 'think', I mean, people who really tend to not know anything about wine, save for the commonly known brand names. Among those peers is Cakebread. And in a nice restaurant, $75 -100 bucks. No thank you.
    And wasn't Stag's Leap Wine Cellars sold by Warren to Ste. Michelle Estates several years ago? Yes. I think that they're making ALOT of the right moves, as has been their tendency over the past 15 or so years. I don't dig on everything on their plate, but in general, SLWC will easily maintain the quality profile on which they were founded decades ago. In the 80's, the Hawk Crest label was created, and I remember how, in a small jazz club, we poured the @$%^& out of those red wines daily. And the list had about 20 glass pours to choose from, Mostly French, Italian, and some Cali, back in those days.

  • murso

    QotD – my most recent Merlot was 2 months ago. 2004 Ch. Tertre de Belves, Cotes de Castillon. I think it was a Jeffrey Davies import (maybe). Sadly, it didn't strike any deep notes of love in me, but – just as you reacted to the SLWC in it's apparent tameness, or modesty, I optimalized on this wine by stopping in my tracks, and holding it for dinner, that eve. I recall it was plummy, a touch dusty, but a bit danker, and more quickly maturing than I'd hoped to find. That general quality, or lack thereof, made it a good move to put with food on the table. Food helps to align little shortcomings of a weaker performer, while giving a boost to the foods textures and flavors. Thanks for indulging me. Thanks for the Merlot!

  • sapdog

    QOTD: Township 7 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC. One of my go-to wineries in the Okanagan (Naramata Bench) especially for the Merlot and Syrah. Rich, full bodied – definitely a new world Merlot, but great with the BBQ tenderloin. Note to self: remember food pairing – some wines don't shine until they meet a complimentary dish.

  • nm

  • I can't drink merlot for fear that Paul Giamatti will hate me…

  • murso

    Had a 1/2 btl of '06 a few months back – bought off of a crazy 'must move product' discount shelf! The weak economy pays us off, but only in dribbles!
    I haven't yet had the wine out of that fancy glass top closure, but people that know, take to it – like it's their own little discovery, and I appreciate their enthusiasm in this case, though I'm so often so NOT into marketing angles. At least this one addresses the dreadful 'cork' issue head on!

  • Randall

    I STILL say that he was bitter towards his ex… and she loved Merlot… not that HE hated all Merlot, as evidenced by his love for a certain wine…
    Alas… people took that ONE line in a Hollywood movie WAY too seriously…

  • Randall

    Mmmm… WHICH jazz club might you be refering to, if I might be so bold as to ask… 🙂

  • Alexcussins

    Bit sad that with two brown bag merlots ,one wasnt a pomerol or similar. Old world and new world comparison would be more real.
    QOTD 2005 Domaine de la grand ormeau. A minor lalande de pomerol but rated 90 by RP. To my palate still a bit tight but great fruit and will be yummy in a few years.

  • Mr_Shizz

    Oh well I do hate my ex but she only drank martinis and watched Sex and The City… WOW this is awesome I guess I can drink Merlot again! Tizz!

  • Randall

    Only as long as she doesn't find out about it… 🙂

  • Allan

    Gary takes a day off, and the Vayniacs go into maniac-mode! ! ! 🙂

    GGGRRRRRRLLLLLMMMMMNNNNNNCCCCCRRRIIIIICCCCIIIIIEEEEOOOOTTTTTTTT!!! sorry for dat*

    **____**____**
    —————–
    ……0………0……
    ……………………
    ………..O………..
    …..ZZZZZZZZ…..
    ………………….
    ……………

  • Caseykja

    pride merlot 2004 and 2005; the 04 was better; both are over oaked, but have good stuffing and structure; both are also overpriced cali cabs

  • MarcBelgium

    QOTD. The last merlot was like the first merlot: BORING. (ok guys, Petrus is merlot I know, but let's keep it decent)
    I don't like merlot but I would love to find a merlot which is vibrant, interesting, flavoursome, …..
    All the merlots I had till now where – apart from Petrus of course – boring, flat, one dimensional, ……
    Please give me some advise.

  • Rimarfish

    QOTD: I'm still drinking one of the best values ever…Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates 2004. Great wine at a great price…i bought 3 cases back in 2008 and still enjoying them very much…

  • Applejuce

    QOTD: De grendal melot………… from world cup South Africa: Good full body, very ripe, Chock-tastic stonker.10 Pounds as in &&&& so nice value play!

  • Dbradley345

    I enjoyed the show. Last year when I was expanding my horizons, I bought the Stag's Leap as a splurge: it was the most expensive wine in our small town grocery. Gary's instincts were right on. I found it closed and one-dimensional. I take it to mean that it was more old-world.

    Recently I bought a merlot that everyone on Cellar Tracker loved, the 2005 Joanin Becot Cote de Castillon (great pedigree, too, from the Beau Sejour Becot line). I popped & poured and it was a very similar experience: concentrated, tight, and very un-delicious. I waited a day and it was only 10% better. This leads me to my fear. If I ever had a bottle of Petrus I'd think the same thing. The wine would judge me and find me wanting. Gary, give me a “beautiful woman” metaphor…

  • ScottyEJ

    Thanks, G. You gotta wonder just how much damage Sideways did to Merlot. Did the U.S. just give up on the varietal entirely and replace it w/pinot? What a shame. Even worse are the prices for the meh wine their still producing.

    BTW – Any chance of doing some 2009 right bank stuff?

  • davidemillombard

    QOTD: Last night at our Ultimate Networking Event in Philly, some semi-haggard mystery house Merlot at the Octo Waterfront Grille. After the Sammy Adams Summer I had, my pallet was all screwed up anyway..lol

  • DCaragher

    GV – Boo….Merlot taking another hit! What can you do? Love the brown bag!

    QOTD: Haven't had a Merlot in a while, but the last one I remember was the Chateau St. Jean and it wasn't that bad!

  • BradVinNH

    Best recent merlot was Italian; the 2000 I Clivi Galea Rosso from Ferdinando Zanusso. The wine is made from old vines in Friuli and is absolutely delicious right now. Great length and cocentration –maybe a little rustic but very nice. Restores one's faith in the varietal.

  • BradVinNH

    Most recent merlot worth mentioning; the 2000 I Clivi Galea Rosso from Ferdinando Zanusso in the Friuli region of Italy. Delicious wine; excellent length, concentrated, very pretty fruit. A bit rustic but not over the top that way. Restores one's faith in the varietal.

  • I really love the brown bag blind tastings Gary. Probably one of my favorite formats. I had a friend who had found the stag lean wine cellars merlot 2005 on sale at a grocery store in SC,, and was gonna pick it up, but didnt see many great reviews on it. PLus it wasnt much of a sale.

    QOTD: Even though I am still in my infantcy of wine knowledge, I just prefer bordeaux merlot blends.

    Jason

  • Taylor-Made

    QOTD: 2003 Pavie. Still probably 20 yrs from being ready to drink. Great color, huge tannins. I have found myself favoring right bank bordeaux lately. I'm with Gary that merlot gets a bad rap. I'm not drinking Cal Merlot however.

  • chukheadted

    Chateau Barrabaque Prestige 2005
    75% merlot, 25% cf, 5% cs
    88WS/88-90 RP, NR WE, sale $19.50

    C–opaque, dark purple
    N–ripe, grapey fruit with some black pepper and stones. A bit hot
    T–this modern-styled right bank wine has a plump, round full bodied mouthfeel with slightly chalky tannins. It shows relatively shy grapey fruit on the midpalate with a little leather and finishes with some additional stoniness.
    Rating: 91 Recommended

  • teckdeck2008

    Sorry about the weak merlots. I do agree that they're been bouncing back pretty well though.

    Qotd: I just had a merlot at an italian restaurant last night. It was in the generic cali style but decent none the less. I just wouldn't ever search it out again.

  • big_al

    75%+25%+5%=105%…. Now that's getting your moneys worth!

  • Splinter

    Santa Alicia Grand Reserve Merlot 2005
    Chile
    Overwhelming ripe red fruit with hints of blackcurrent that meanders into a silky mid palate and well structured finish.
    A wine you have to try!!!

  • big_al

    Scotty
    The 2009's from Bordeaux wont hit the shelves for another year

  • big_al

    Great call fishman. The C.C. Gr. Est. Merlot is a top notch QPR, year in, year out!

  • big_al

    Great show. Short & sweet. Love the brown bags.
    My last Merlot was a couple of weeks ago… 2001 Ch. Pavie Decesse (Saint Emillion). Great wine which still needs time but I rated it 93/94.

    Tonight I'll pop a 2003 Ch. Pipeau (Cheapie Right Bank) and I think I just might pop 'Sideways' into the old DVD player for old time sakes. I've watched it 6 or 7 times and I enjoy it just as much each and every time.

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