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Monday, June 29, 2009

June Wine- Merlot

I can hardly believe that June has already passed by so quickly...why does every year go quicker the older I get!? Summer is in full swing and shows no signs of stopping. This month I've been tasting my way through Merlot, both at home and at the Bakespace Virtual Wine Tasting Club. This was actually my choice. I was tossing around a few different varietals in my head, but decided that re-visiting one of the original wines that starting me drinking wine would be a good idea. Pinot Grigio (last month's choice) was the white I started on...Merlot was the red. In all honesty, I've moved on from this great introductory red and haven't really revisited it that often before this month. And while I did not fall back in love with Merlot, I did find a couple of really good bottles that I will seek out when craving Merlot in the future. Since I was this month's wine steward, it was my responsibility to do a short introduction and (hopefully) encourage people to sample at least a little Merlot. I'm still not too wine savvy...despite giving it my best effort...but I tried my best. This is a short introduction I grabbed (mostly) from Wiki-info:

Merlot Grapes source: Wikipedia

About the grape: Merlot is a red wine grape (but it's black) that is used as a varietal, but also for blending. Since it is soft and fleshy and it ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, it is one of the major players in Bordeaux produced wine. About the varietal/wine: Merlot became a very popular varietal back in the '90's (which ultimately led me to choosing it). It is sometimes called the fruitcake wine...I like to call it a "gateway" wine. Although it is one of the widest grown grapes, its major growing regions are: Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Chilean Central Valley and Australia. (and I know we grow over here in the Indiana/Michigan area, too!!) Tannins: medium Tasting notes range from red berries to plum, cedar, tobacco and fruitcake to chocolate and black cherry...which mostly depends on the growing climate. Pairing Merlot with food can be tricky because with such a range of tastes, you have a wide range of options! Cooler climate Merlot tend to go better with most food pairings because they are more acidic & versatile. It always helps to read the info on the bottle or check out a particular wine's website. I went ahead and included White Merlot in the Merlot category. It is made similar to White Zinfandel...the grapes are crushed and after a very brief period of contact with the skins, the wine is then run off and fermented.

So, my general Merlot observations were that yes, I found a lot of the fruitcake variety. I actually found most of them to be a little too sweet or too dull. The wines that had notes of chocolate & vanilla or with smokey undertones turned out to be my personal favorites...and the ones with a pronounced deep cherry or blueberry flavor were also some I enjoyed. Here is a little (and very amateur, I know, I know...I'm learning) review of the Merlots that I drank this month....

Barefoot -California

2007

$5.49 on sale (reg. price $7.49)

Intro from Winemaker: ...is a luscious wine with alluring flavors of boysenberry and chocolate. Hints of anise and subtle tannins compliment the decadent, silky finish.

Review: Nose-chocolate. Taste- smooth, chocolaty,, slight hint of berries (though I can't actually decipher the "boysen"). Slightly spicy with perhaps that hint of anise. Slightly smokey.

buy again: Yes, it was one of my favorites!

Beringer WHITE Merlot

California

2007

$5.99

Intro: This carefully crafted wine has enticing flavors of ripe red berries. It is soft, smooth, friendly and delicious.

review: Dark rose in color. Nose- berries on a warm, summer day...slightly spicy. Smooth, light & sweet- but not too sweet. Warm & happy with a hint of tobacco. I actually didn't mind it...and I usually don't care for "pink" wines.

buy again: I think so, yes

Black Swan

Australia

2007

$5.99 on sale (reg. $7.99)

intro: Flavors of mixed berry and mellow cherry, with a velvet finish...

review: color- garnet. nose- warm berries. taste- spice & berries...bright, warm, dry. I liked it.

buy again: yes

Bohemian Highway

California

2006

$5.99

intro: ...is a soft, supple red that finishes with a burst of ripe raspberry fruit flavors. It's the perfect choice for those who prefer a back road to the highway.

review: smooth, warm, slightly spicy...very mellow. Semi-dry with pleasantly sweet berry undertones. Nose- berries. color- ripe red raspberry. One of my top 3!

buy again: yes!

Burlwood Cellars

California

2007

~$4-5.00 (forgot to remember...)

intro: Luscious flavors of blueberry & black cherry with subtle notes of vanilla and toasted oak.

review: nose- yup, subtle hints of oak and vanilla. Color- burgundy. taste- deep berry, slightly oaky with hints of spice and vanilla. As it has time to bloom, the vanilla becomes more apparent and makes for very smooth drinking. Dry & medium-bodied. Another of my top 3.

buy again: yes

Columbia Crest Grand Estates

Washington

2006

$7.68 on sale (reg. $10.99)

intro: G.E. wines are created with an artisan wine making approach. During harvest, a third of the fruit from the vineyards for this Merlot is not crushed. The whole berries are added to the wine during fermentation to create a unique aromatic and flavorful style with a soft texture.

review: tastes very strong and coppery the first day. The second day it is mellow and smooth. Nose of black cherries...still a bit of a coppery or metallic undertone, but somehow it is not unpleasant. Slightly must with a bright berry flavor sneaking up from underneath. This was the priciest of the Merlots that I tried...but I think it was worth it.

buy again: Yes...a day before I want to drink it.

Frontera- Concha y Toro

Chile

2008

$1.25 mini-bottle

intro: none about the wine itself, just the winemaker

review: color- ripe plum taste- of ripe fruit and tobacco..very dry and kind of boring.

buy again: probably not

Oak Leaf Vineyards

California

no year listed

$2.98

No intro given

review: Kind of non-descript...a bit spicy & flat...fruitcake (!) Sad because this is my favorite label...but don't worry, they make different varietals...cuz I know you were worried...

Stone Cellars by Beringer

California

no year listed

$1.25 mini-bottle (regular size bottle $7.99)

intro: Our Merlot is full with vibrant fresh blueberry flavors with hints of plum and blackberry fruit leading to a luscious, smooth finish.

review: color-blueish purple. Tastes of berries...fruity and slightly sweet. Very drinkable as a stand alone wine.

buy again: yes

Sutter Home Family Vineyards

California

2007

$1.25 mini-bottle ($7.49 regular size bottle)

No intro

review: color- ruby. Tastes like cherries with slightly smokey undertones. Spicy on the tongue. Good!

buy again: yes

Sutter Home Family Vineyard WHITE Merlot

California

2007

$4.99

No Intro.

review: color-rose. smell- sweet & floral. Tastes sweet, very sweet, cloyingly sweet. Slightly spicy & oaky...overly fruity and yick, yuck, gross! Really super sweet. Really. This is probably the first bottle of wine that I did NOT even finish...

buy again: nope

Tisdale

California

no year given

$3.49 on sale (reg. $3.99)

Intro: With flavors of black cherry and mixed berries, our experienced winemakers have crafted this Merlot to a smooth, full-flavored wine with a medium body and impressive finish.

review: Tastes a bit smokey with chocolate and berry undertones....somewhat sweet aftertaste. If you roll it around on your tongue, it actually tastes very sweet. Not the best, not the worst.

buy again: maybe

Vendange

California

2003

$4.59

intro: Our Merlot has notes of plum, black cherry and toasty oak.

review: color- deep purple. Tastes strong, like very ripe plums and oak. Slightly smokey aftertaste. Mellowed a bit after sitting a day, still plum-y...but I actually preferred the more pronounced taste of the first day. Decent.

buy again: probably Come on over to BakeSpace Wine Club and join us in next month's wine tasting!

Would you like to comment?

  1. I know NOTHING about wine, so I need to bookmark this...My dad loves merlot, but next time I feel like pampering him, this little nugget of info would help!

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  2. Pretty impressive research! Unfortunately, I have NEVER found a wine that I liked the taste of (it all tastes like vinegar to me) lol.

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  3. Wonderful choices and even better information. Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a wonderful day...Mary

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  4. Lovely choices. I like a nice glass of merlot every once in a while.

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  5. Once again I am so jealous of the price of wine in the States! Those bottles would be at least 3x the price in Ontario..
    Sigh.
    So expensive to be a lush here, but I try.

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  6. Great post and great job reviewing the wine. I am always happily amazed at how good the Barefoot wines are for the price.

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  7. Concha y Toro and Beringer are my fav. Although Beringer is sometimes too commercialized, all in all, good.
    hmm...did you just miss out the St. Emilion?
    If I hit a jackpot, I would for sure order some Petrus and you would be my guest!

    Love your wine entries.
    Look forward to your next wine post....(pinot noir? might be?)
    Angie's Recipes

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  8. I love learning about wines. I feel as if I've had a science lesson when I study about the flavors, how they've come to be and how to serve, store and share them. The change that occurs in the mouth when food is introduced is amazing!
    A fascinating "underworld". Wine has a life of its own.

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  9. Love your reviews and I will take them to heart. I use merlot often, both in cooking and to partake in:)

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  10. I enjoyed reading your wine reviews! I am generally not a big fan of merlot as I usually find it a little too thin for me. The Barefoot merlot sounds interesting to try - I will look for it.

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  11. Love Merlot. My favorite red. When it's on sale, I try for Rabbit Run. Very smooth, no bite and great with food.

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  12. ...Coleen-LOL...but seriously they ALL taste like vinegar :(

    ...Angie- I haven't heard of St. Emilion. And Pinot Noir is my favorite, but unfortunately I joined Bakespace a month too late (they already chose Pinot Noir)...but I may have to do it on my own since it is y favorite!

    ...Sherri- you are so right! It IS a living/breathing thing :)


    ...Claudia- I will look for it next time!

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  13. I love Barefoot--I get a lot of their wines :)

    I want to try that Bohemian one, I've not seen that on the shelves, here. Another one of my favorites (and usually easy on the wallet) is Dancing Bull Merlot--you might like it.

    Great review--I love learning about new wines!

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  14. I'm a big fan of Barefoot wines. Great wine review:)

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  15. did I miss something here - why are the prices so low...or am I so used to NYC that everything else seems cheap?

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  16. I am ashamed to say I wasted a bottle of merlot that is still sitting in my friends fridge...hubby drinks most of them when they are opened and my friends do not drink at all...Barefoot is a good one, and I will have to check out the Bohemian as well...I am glad that you are adventurous in this way!

    So now I know we will share a bottle one day :)

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  17. Thanks for the reviews! I am a big fan of reds. I haven't tried the white merlots. I will have to look for that first one.

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  18. You have done a wonderful job as this months wine stewart! I have like 3 bottles at home (all empty) that I need to post but I don't remember my "review". LOL. The only reason I have the empty bottles is so I can at least write the wine makers little "intro". I need to get on that, don't I. umm...like tonight! LOL. Oooooh...can't wait to see what next month holds!
    Great blog post! :)

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  19. Great post! I might have to steal your idea and do a roundup of all my BS wine reviews. :)

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  20. Hey, cool! I'm not a wine expert by any means, so this was fun to read!

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  21. i joined the bake space wine club for this but somehow this month we did not manage to drink that much wine and especially not that much Merlot. I did happen to have the Columbia Crest one..the one that i had was a 2005 and we loved it!!

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  22. I'm not a wine person(I'll drink it only if it's sweet)-so I'm going to forward all this valuable info to my hubby who likes to think he's a connoisseur ;)

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  23. Wow!! You've been doing a lot of wine-drinking! What a great post!

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  24. hey there I love ur blog...I would to link to you if u would link to me...have a great day...Happy Blogging!

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  25. ...do it Bob!! It's more like sharing ;)

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  26. ...dog- idk? I do search out the less expensive ones, though...

    ...E- YES! For sure :D

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  27. Nice!!! I barely snuck in any wine this month!! But I did try the same Beringer as you. I didn't make a squinchy face!

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  28. OMG friend. You don't fool around. What an excellent lesson on wines. I'm a White Zin drinker myself. Beringer can always be found in my house with Merlot for guests. Fantastic post. Have a great holiday weekend dear one.

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  29. I don't know much about wine but I enjoy a glass every now and then. Thanks for all the great information.

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  30. Dar!!

    Did you know that I was a wine lover? WOW, this has to be my favorite blog post. SO MUCH INFORMATION!! THANK YOU!! I have to try the white Merlot. I am more of a red wine lover but this sounds interesting. Have a great 4th!!

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  31. I love your wine posts. I was waiting to hear that you loved them all : ) It sure sounds like you are learning a lot about wine.

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  32. Californian Merlots have the best palate and aromas. As good as Australian wines.

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