#merlotme

[thewinestalker]

#Wine Quickie: Casillero del Diablo Reserva Merlot 2018. October is #MerlotMe month and today I've got the first of a bunch of Merlot quickies! Casillero del Diablo by Concha y Toro is always just solid and reliable for the price, and that's what you should expect out of this Merlot. It's medium bodied with a lush mouthfeel, moderate acidity, and soft tannin. There's nose and palate descriptors of plums, blackberries, a little bit of cherry, and toasty oak. It beats the hell out of some other $10 Merlots that I know, which shall remain nameless! https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QTJaOhhdT/?igshid=1orskngepgv2z

[thewinestalker]

#Wine Quickie: @rutherfordhillwinery Merlot 2015. Holy crap, now THIS is a Merlot for #MerlotMe October! It's one of those wines that I could just smell all night and be completely satisfied. There's black cherries, blackberries, mocha, anise, and cinnamon. On the palate it's full bodied with a wonderfully lush mouthfeel, soft tannin, and perfectly balanced acidity. It gets a bit boozy on the finish but the juicy black cherries and strong mocha are just as big and vocal. What an excellent Napa Merlot this is, and I think I'm in love tonight! https://www.instagram.com/p/B38UeRfBUFV/?igshid=de8vml2nftpo

[thewinestalker]

#Wine Quickie: Rutherford Hill Rosé of Merlot 2018. Oh yes, we have a rosé for #MerlotMe October! Out of Napa Valley, Rutherford Hill was founded in 1972 and was a pioneer in the development of Merlot in California. Their Rosé of Merlot is light and crisp while featuring strong white flowers and being loaded with peaches, citrus, and honey. It may be a bit overpriced but it's a damn good rosé! My wife liked it even more than I did and that earns it extra points. https://www.instagram.com/p/B30aSNOh9e9/?igshid=1c0rla8virbwk

[thewinestalker]

October is #MerlotMe month and my #wine pick of the month is @benzigerwinery Merlot 2016! READ THE REVIEW: https://www.thewinestalker.net/2019/10/benziger.html https://www.instagram.com/p/B3GDnprhHom/?igshid=1obqqjkfxgt0v

[wine-porn]

College Pom-Poms

No matter how good these wines are on release, and how awesome the vintage is, it’s a good idea to check in on them regularly, as they are basically Cru Bourgeois–even though they ARE satellite offerings. Otherwise–don’t be like me–you’ll end up with a cellar full of bargains past their prime. Here’s 5 years old on a lovely Lalande Merlot and things are still beautiful, if not stunning. Still,…

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[wine-porn]

Bun in the Oven

You’re gonna hate this wine. Why? Because it doesn’t taste like what you have been led to believe Merlot should taste like. Because it’s real. It’s sultry and earth-ridden. It’s tight and bitter and acrid and biting and doesn’t slobber your face with its tongue when it kisses you. Everyone loves to hate on Merlot–then wants every red they drink to taste just like it. Oh, it’s California for…

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[wine-porn]

Merlot-Me

I have so many thoughts about this wine. First of all, what’s your favorite California Merlot? Oh sure, Three Palms and Oakville and Suscol Ranch and various Carneros spots will take the hit, plus a few others will make mention, but Monterey? Secondly, I think Arroyo Seco is wasted on Chardonnay-plaudits–just like Carneros. But is Arroyo Seco clay? Don’t care: it makes amazing wines of almost ANY…

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[wine-porn]

Hand-Plushed

This is going to be the most austere Merlot you’re gonna taste this week outside of BDX. Gone are the plush fittings many equate with the variety, and present are a sultry, non-fruit-FWD nose and entry, crazy raspy acidity and harsh tannin. You are going to think it’s Alexander Valley cab or DCV cab as it glows with incredible briar and structure to last a couple decades. CLASSIC Meeker here, and…

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