Tag Archives: merlot

Saint Clair Premium Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2014, New Zealand

20 Thursday Apr 2017

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I’m a fan of this winery as can be seen in my two tastings of their Pinot Noir.  I came across this wine at the local store near my hotel and it was priced as a deal for two, I could not resist.

Medium to dark purple.  Nose of minerals, plum and sasparilla.  On the initial attack I get really smooth plums, with some red chili pepper hints- intriguing, sans the heat!  On the midpalate the plums continue but I start to appreciate some oak use and the intro to black fruits.  I’m thinking of Ribena on the finish along with some vanilla.  Very smooth all throughout with very melded tannins and a balanced acidity.  This is my first Merlot/Cabernet from the famed Gimblett Gravels, I’m digging the minerality and think this wine is a 90 point effort.  I think they normally retail at $18, which makes this a solid 4 star wine.  Availability in the States may be limited, but keep a lookout for this winery on your travels.  This wine would pair nicely with Beef short ribs or a hearty stew.  I’m getting more!  Salut….

saint clair premium cabernet merlot

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Merlot 2013, California, USA

23 Thursday Mar 2017

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No nose- I’m sitting in an airplane with a plastic cup.  The initial impression I get is of mellow plums, really nice acidity and some earthiness.  The mid palate is generous with the dark fruits and I am enjoying the very mild dryness the tannins are giving.  On second thought, it is really packed with plum flavors.  The finish is shortish but tasty.  The strength of this wine lies on the generous mid palate, which is where the flavors and technical components all seem to materialize.  Considering I am cooped up in a pressurized tube I think the winemakers have a winner here.  They have crafted something I am really enjoying.  90 points and kudos.  I paired it with pasta and meatball, courtesy of United Airlines.  For $19 this wine gets 4 stars and is widely available.  Salut….

kendall jackson merlot

The meatball and pasta

 

Dei Principi di Spadafora Don Pietro Rosso Sicilia IGT 2012, Sicily, Italy

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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Reddish purple and opaque in the glass.  Nose of rhubarb and Swiss chard leaves.  I’m not going to lie- it’s a bit off putting.  The palate is a whole different story, thank god.  Vibrant cherry and red raspberry notes with juicy acidity and balanced tannins.  The mid palate is really delicious, yet supremely dry from the tannins.  More red fruits emerge with some hints of nutmeg.  The finish is medium in length and offers more raspberries.  I found out it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Nero D’Avola, which is a grape I hold near and dear.  Overall a very juicy and decent wine that gets 90 points from me.  I paid $20 and am going with 4 stars.  Salut….

Dei Principi di Spadafora Don Pietro Rosso

Muirwood Merlot 2014, Monterey, USA

06 Monday Mar 2017

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See through lighter shade of purple.  Stunning nose of mulberry, warm berry compote and a hint of cedar wood.  The palate shows off red berries, fine grained tannins and a mouthful of warm brioche notes.  There’s an underlying level of acidity that continues the whole length of this delicious wine.  It just smacks of warm California fruit, nicely integrated with oak, balanced tannins and a freshness I’m really enjoying.  90 points and for $15 I’m giving it 4 stars and getting some more!  Salut….

muir wood merlot

Beyer Ranch Merlot 2013, Central Coast California

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

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This was on special at my local wine store, regularly $11, on sale for $10.  I had to try it.  It is vinted and bottled by the Wente Family Estate, which is a rather big and well know operation.

A good shade of purple in the glass, with a nose of black berry and kirsch.  On the palate, black stone fruits and black berries.  Very nice and supple mouthfeel, not overly acidic with very subtle tannins.  A pop’n’pour wine that is sure to please- for the price, it is a really outstanding effort.  88 points and 5 stars for its price to quality ratio.  Drink by itself or pair with pretty much anything!  Salut….

beyer ranch merlot

Bollina Corte Medicea ‘Athos’ Rosso Toscana IGT 2013, Tuscany, Italy

19 Sunday Feb 2017

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Have you ever had Ribena?  That is exactly what this blockbuster looks like in the glass.  It is a 100% Merlot from Tuscany that got huge marks from some pros. I bought in on the hype and could afford the $20 entry fee.

The nose is rich with blackberry and stone.  The initial taste is really delicious, with more black berries and plum mixing it up with gorgeous tannins and acidity.  I also get smoky mineral notes.  These flavors transcend the mid plate and meet up with dried blueberry on the finish.  The tannins are lush in this wine and give off a nice mouthfeel all the way through the finish.

I must be missing something about the 97 points given by an Italian critic, for me this is a solid wine that should get 90.  For the price paid it is a really good Merlot that I will be serving with Sunday Roast- 4 stars.  Salut.

ethos corte medic toscano merlot

La Croix Barton 2011 Bordeaux Superieur

22 Sunday Jan 2017

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I have drunk a ton of La Croix Barton, the underwhelming 2008 vintage, followed by the far better 2009.  I have not seen the 2010 but found the 11 waiting for me!

A see through purple in the glass with a nose of black currant, violet and coffee.  The initial tastes are muted by the forward tannins, but I eventually get dark fruits, green pepper and plum.  Very young and hiding behind the mouth searing tannins, this wine needs decanting or aerating.

The travel aerator

The travel aerator

I ran it through the aerator and voila… nowhere near as tannic, with approachable berry fruits, some tobacco, and still some green peppers. The wine carries these primal flavors through the mid palate and onto the finish. It is somewhat one dimensional as far as flavors go, but it should evolve given a few years. I paid around $17 for it and am giving it 88 points for now. I think it may get better with some age, and I will certainly re-visit it. 3 stars. Salut….

la croix-barton 2011

Chateau Pavie 2000, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

21 Saturday Jan 2017

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This is my first 100 point wine and was brought by a good friend to celebrate his promotion and pay off a football bet!  At $450 per bottle it’s a pretty steep price to pay for perfection but you only live once.

Nearly black in the glass.  A stunning nose of leather, tobacco, blueberry, coconut.  Young is my first impression. Fresh fruit, bright tannins, good acidity… blueberry tart, leather and spice box with maybe some plum on the mid palate. I’m also getting graphite.  Did I mention the mouth coating tannins?  They go on forever. This wine is extracted, polished, deep and complex, but it’s also a baby.  It needs another 5 years minimum before it starts maturity but will last till 2040 at the least.  It currently shows primal fruit but will evolve in a massive way once secondary flavors develop.  I am lucky I got to taste it at this stage of its life cycle and hope to be so fortunate in the future to experience it at peak.  I can only imagine how great this wine will be.  We drank it with some cheese and crackers, that is about all you need.  I would think this wine is worthy of 98 or 99 points, but the man himself gave it 100 on several occasions, so who am I to argue!  Shall we say 5 stars?  Salut….

chateau pave 2000img_1485

Bulgariana Imperial Red Blend Thracian Valley 2009

19 Wednesday Oct 2016

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I’m not holding my breath on this $8 offering.  I just had to try it, for the sake of seeking out a high QPR wine.  The wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cab Sav and 5% each of Rubin and Mavrud- both of which I have never heard of let alone try.  The wine is 7 years old so I am a little surprised that my local Costco was carrying it in bulk.  Anyway, it begins with a dark purple in the glass and a nose of spices, mulled plums and sushi.   I know that sounds strange but there is a component that is intriguing me and it reminds me of the seaweed in a sushi roll.  I’m kinda digging it!
On the palate this wine is really delicious with some searing tannins.  I am impressed.  Plums, black cherry, a touch of wood and cola syrup.  This wine reminds me of a monster Tannat, thick, brooding and bone dry with tannins running amuck.  It is young and needs several more years to mellow.  I am returning for more and sticking them in the cellar.  I think it would work great with a well marbled steak, Lamb stew or something else needing the tannins to offset fatty dishes.  The wine could also be sent through a Vinturi or decanted but it really is delicious by itself if you like the dry ones.  I’m going 90 points and for sure 5 stars for its exceptional QPR (Quality Price Ratio).  PS.  I searched for it online, it runs $14- still a great value.  Salut….
bulgariana imperial red blend

Merryvale Merlot Napa Valley 2008

18 Saturday Apr 2015

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I like this winery’s style.  Merryvale gets the right balance of extraction and finesse.  I tried to visit their tasting room last month in Napa but it was not my scene.  Dark and crowded with drunks falling off the bar stools, it reminded me of the old west or Georgetown on a Friday night during my college days.  I didn’t let that detract from my impressions and enjoyment of their wine though.  This Merlot is very dark and brooding in the glass with a nose of black currants, oregano and dried herbs.  A crisp linear initial attack of currant, stewed plum and dark berry compote. Immense tannic thrust on the gums is delightful and balanced by mouth watering acidity. Wowsa. This wine has a long finish and good cellaring potential. I enjoyed it with Cajun rubbed ribeyes, a perfect combination. 2015/2022 would be a good estimate.  92 points make this $45 wine worthy of 4 stars.  Salut….

merryvale merlot napa valley