You’ll notice I did not include Merlot in the wine quiz. In France Merlot is world class. I don’t find many California Merlots I like. I find them — how should I put this? — lacking in guts, a little sweet, a little flabby. I never can forget the line Paul Giamatti got off about Merlot in “Sideways.” If you have recommendations on Merlots you like, please share.
Michael S.
Agreed. It is really hard to find a high quality Cali Merlot. Shafer and Pahlmayer make good ones but they’re pricey for most. Even Washington State, which used to churn out great Merlots at decent prices, makes way more quality Cabs and Syrahs these days These days if I want Merlot I usually look overseas.
August 4th, 2012 4:28 pm
Rickraff
A good merlot is hard to find. I like Raymond R Collection 2007. I buy it at Uncorked in Saratoga… For $15!!!
August 4th, 2012 4:34 pm
RC
Twomey, great Sonoma merlot.
Merlot sales have never been the same after that movie!
August 4th, 2012 5:03 pm
glenellen
Have you seen the movie ” Bottle Shock “. It came out a couple of years ago. we can call it a “B” movie but still enjoyable. 1976 when Napa wines were involved in a french tasting in France and won.
And it is about Napa wines, but was filmed mostly in Sonoma Valley. Including the Sonoma Plaza, Kenwood and Glen Ellen. I recommend it and you may find it in the 7.99 bin.
August 4th, 2012 10:55 pm
Travis
Couple of things.
California merlot is flabby, best way to out it. However, Regusci makes a merlot that I find incredible. It has nice tannins and is almost like a Cabernet light. Very good and decent price point. It is the only California merlot I will buy.
Bevmo has a Bordeaux called Chateau de Brandey, its 100% merlot and is about 20 dollars. Decent wine to pick up.
Bottle Shock is a fun movie, I like it just because I love wine and Napa so much, but the book “Judgement of Paris” which the movie is based is a phenomenal book that tells the history of Napa and the real story behind Bottle Shock.
August 4th, 2012 11:53 pm
Steve
Bottle Shock – yes, interesting and enjoyable movie. Educational, too. Actually available at some libraries. Merlot tends to give me a headache so I don’t drink it, probably a result of the higher sugar content. I’m not in love with its taste, either.
August 5th, 2012 9:26 am
Stan
How’s the cat?
August 5th, 2012 9:38 am
Stan
I like cats. They aren’t as great as dogs..but neither are people.
August 5th, 2012 9:38 am
Steve
Just thought of another interesting film about wine. “Mondovino” is a very good documentary about the effects of globalization on the major wine regions of the world. Beautiful cinematography and fascinating interviews.
August 5th, 2012 11:46 am
ron
i agree with Raymond but they have an even better cab. I haven’t tried for a while but Markam used to make a good merlot for the price.
August 5th, 2012 2:21 pm
Brotha Tuna
Have you tried Trefethen out of Napa Valley? A different style; elegant, restrained, balanced. Not big or jammy as some prefer but worth the try.
Duckhorn? Ferrari-Carano? Hawley? Sinskey? Cuvaison? Pretty good. Silverado & Sterling, too.
In bigger styles in California I’ve found that the Greenfield area of southern Monterey County produces superb fruit. Bernardus Winery is one who gets their fruit from there.
Paso Robles area is also quite good, but Greenfield gets more fog and moderating temps for slow, steady grape development.
I do like French Pomerol too.
August 5th, 2012 6:47 pm
lameduck
I remember wine tasting in Napa and stumbling on a good Merlot but don’t remember the winery. It was a house and the woman pouring had the same last name as the winery…
August 5th, 2012 7:43 pm
Jeff McMullin
Steve, I wouldn’t characterize Nassiter’s one sided hatchet job as a very good documentary. (and I do subscribe to the negative effects of wine globalization)
And come on Lameduck, is that the best clue you can come up with?
August 6th, 2012 5:33 pm