This year our Merlot samples were smaller in number when compared to some varieties submitted throughout the year. For example, we started Riesling in July and are still working on them. Perhaps this is a trend, perhaps not. Merlot is still a very popular and approachable red wine. I personally like it a lot when made right. I would hate to see producers shying away from putting their best efforts into this grape that was once on top of the wine world in terms of popularity.
My favorite Merlot by far this year was from Robert Foley. Bob is clearly one of the top producers of this grape. His 2007 Robert Foley Merlot is Excellent. I scored it 96 points. I even proclaimed that it might be the best Robert Foley Merlot that I have ever covered. It certainly was the best Merlot I have recommended in quite some time. It is full-bodied and extremely well balanced with delicious ripe blueberry flavors with notes of spice, black pepper, and menthol. Our entire table really loved this wine and it paired perfectly with our Kobe Cap steaks. Priced at $52 per bottle, this is worth every penny!
The winner of our Big Blind Merlot tasting was the 2006 Northstar Merlot from the Columbia Valley in Washington. The panel scored this wine 91 points. It is well worth its $40 price tag if you love well made Merlot. It opens with a complex mild spicy black raspberry bouquet with hints of smoke, blueberry and vanilla. On the palate, this wine is medium-bodied, nicely balanced, soft and smooth with yummy blueberry flavors with nicely integrated oak and spice. The panel suggested pairing this gem with veal marsala or lobster ravioli.
Right on the heals of the Northstar was the 2006 Merryvale “Napa Valley” Merlot for $39. The panel also scored this wine 91 points. This offering was medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, and smooth. The panel classified the flavor profile as tasty with appealing black raspberry flavors and a touch of black pepper. They felt this elegant Merlot would be a good pairing with Steak Diane. I also just covered the 2007 Merryvale Merlot from “Napa Valley.” I scored this wine 90 points. It is a nice follow-up to the 2006. It opens with an attractive black-cherry bouquet with a hint of menthol and blueberry. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, well balanced, and displays black-cherry and gentle oak flavors. We concluded it would pair well with a New York strip steak.
The next two Merlots both scored 90 points from the tasting panel. The 2007 Ferrari Carano “Sonoma County” Merlot for $24 officially finished in 3rd place in our Big Blind tasting. It is full-bodied, well balanced, and satiny. The group relay enjoyed its mild black currant flavors with nicely integrated old oak with a dash of cinnamon. The panel thought this Merlot would be ideal in the short term with meatloaf or beef bourguignonne.
The next Merlot came from Lazio, Italy The 2006 Falesco “Montiano” for $45 performed very well in our big blind tasting. It was medium-bodied, very nicely balanced, and has Merlot’s classic smooth mouthfeel. The panel described its flavors as tasty mild blackberry with lots of spice and some nicely integrated oak. They suggested pairing it with veal parmigianna.
The final two highlighted Merlots are both Very Good and scored 89 points. The key to both of these wines is that they come in at a very affordable $15 per bottle. The first, which was the best value we found in our big blind tasting, is the 2007 Columbia Crest “H3” Merlot. It is medium-bodied, balanced, and quite savory. The flavor profile is a tasty black-cherry and plum blend with notes of pleasant vanilla oak. The panel found its moderate tannins to be well managed and food-friendly. They suggested pairing it with either veal marsala or cherry amaretto chicken with mashed potatoes.
Next up is the 2007 Aquinas Merlot from “Napa.” Our small tasting group thought this was a lot of wine for the money. It was a real crowd pleaser. We found it to be well balanced, easy to drink, and fruit forward. The flavor profile was a black currant and gentle oak blend. We also detected a touch of black pepper and a hint of anise. The group thought this would be a very good glass pour option and would pair well Kobe sliders.
Other Recommended Merlots:
1) Clos Pegase 2006 “Napa Valley” (CA) $25 (89)
2) Merryvale 2007 “Starmont”(Napa Valley, CA) $26 (89)
3) Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 “Cold Creek Vineyard” (Columbia Valley, WA) $28 (89)
4) Duckhorn 2008 “Decoy”(Napa Valley, CA) $25 (88)
5) Duckhorn 2007 “Napa Valley” (CA) $49 (88)
6) St. Supery 2005 “Estate Bottled”(Napa Valley, CA) $25 (87)
7) Smoking Loon 2008 (CA) $8 (85)
These were the Winners. There were some that certainly didn’t make the cut. I would really encourage you to check out these Merlots if you love the grape like we do.
Cheers,
Ken