Merlot low down
By Darryl Beeson
According to anecdotal reports, sales of Merlot dropped due
to the following exchange from the 2004 motion picture
Sideways:
Jack: "If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot."
Miles Raymond: "No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any
(expletive deleted) Merlot!"
According to 2005
AC Nielsen analysis, ironically, US sales of Merlot actually increased after
the film's release. Drink up and enjoy.
Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Estates Merlot, California
2004
Price $8.99
Rating 88
The nose is rich with ripe plum and exotic Asian spice. The sip leads with ripe
red fruit tapering off with a good finish laced with more spice. More details
are at www.bvwines.com.
Beringer Founder's Reserve Merlot, California 2004
Price $11
Rating 87
The nose is concentrated with ripe plum, blackberry and subtle menthol. The sip
is bright with red fruit, pepper and hints of menthol.
Chateau St. Jean Merlot, Sonoma County 2004
Price $14
Rating 89
The nose is full of ripe plum. The sip is bright with balanced ripe plum, soft
elements of oak, mint and mineral.
Edna Valley Vineyard Merlot, San Luis Obispo, 2004
Price $16.99
Rating 93
The nose is somber with elements of mineral and black fruit. The sip is complex
with ripe plum, dark berries and soft mineral in the long, interesting length.
Kenwood Merlot Sonoma County 2004
Price $17
Rating 93
Rich cherry and mocha blend into the bright, complex sip. There are forward
aromas of plum, raspberry and dried cranberry, with a hint of white pepper in
the background. Flavors of plum and raspberry are light and silky on the
palate.
Kenwood Reserve Merlot, Sonoma 2003
Price $25
Rating 94
Bright cherry and complex mineral meld in the sip. it is accented by cinnamon
nuances. Similar fruit components dominate the intense flavors, along with a
persistent thread of herbal complexity.
Lockwood Merlot, Monterey 2004
Price $13
Rating 90
The nose hints of mint, then red fruit. The sip explodes with bright plum, red
fruit and complex mineral in the medium-to-long length finish.
Napa Ridge Reserve Merlot, Napa 2003
Price $20
Rating 91
The nose is concentrated with black fruit and a bit of menthol. The sip presents
interesting layers of complexity. An assortment of ripe, dark fruit shows
through in the long, delicately spiced length.
Rodney Strong Merlot, Sonoma 2003
Price $19
Rating 89
The sip starts out with wild berries, then exhibits ripe plum. "To some people,
merlot may seem like the new kid on the block," suggests renowned wine maker
Rick Sayre. "But at Rodney Strong Vineyards we've been growing it since the
early 1970's
Sterling Vintner's Collection Merlot, Central Coast
2004
Price $14.99
Rating 90
The nose offers dusty black fruit with a hint of bell pepper. The sip is
balanced with ripe red fruit through the good length.
Silverado Vineyards Merlot, Napa Valley 2003
Price $30
Rating 93
Spicy aromas of ripe dark cherry, black pepper, sage, with vanilla and
butterscotch nuances. Additional elements of tobacco, cocoa powder and a
spectrum of dried fruits appear in the long, complex finish.
Veramonte Merlot Reserva, Casablanca 2004
Price $9.99
Rating 92
The color is deep purple. The nose offers black fruit and a slight hint of bell
pepper. The sip is complex with dark fruit, mocha, again a hint of bell pepper,
all within a rich, long length.
----
Darryl Beeson is an instructor for The International
Sommelier Guild www.sommelierguild.com
and is the American editor of
www.wineontheweb.com . He reports for
www.travellady.com as well.
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