For this month’s wine tasting, we asked the Cheers/Beverage Dynamics National Wine Panel, a distinguished group of restaurant, hotel and retail beverage professionals, to select a lineup of recently tasted merlots, a varietal wine whose rich fruit and soft texture has propelled it into becoming one of the red wines of choice for American consumers. As always, these selections all include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s suggested retail price (which varies from market to market).
RATING SYSTEM
***** Five Stars (92-100)
A top-flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price/value relationship.
**** Four Stars (86-91)
A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back.
If you’re a beverage professional who would like to learn more about participating in our panel, call Jack Robertiello at 718-857-3660, or email him at jrobertiello@adamsbevgroup.com.
FIVE STARS
***** 94 2001 Lewis Napa Merlot (California). An exciting and seductive wine that is supple with powerful flavors, particularly huge amounts of black plum fruit with well-integrated, bold tannins; a combination of power and finesse, so good you’ll want to drink it all now, however, it should last for quite a while if you have enough willpower to cellar this gem. $55
***** 94 2002 Montes Alpha Merlot Colchagua Valley, Apalta Vineyard (Chile). This deep purple wine initially opens with a soft bouquet, but amazing complexity lingers in the background, with raspberry, mocha, spice and oak; it explodes on the palate, with a full body, superb richness and extract, and ample acidity for balance; tart cherry, raspberry and plum flavors dominate, and the tannin indicates marvelous potential for cellaring. $20
***** 94 2000 Lamborghini Campoleone Merlot (Umbria, Italy). A powerhouse; merlot with a touch of sangiovese blended in this wine is Umbria’s answer to the Super Tuscans. $50
***** 94 2000 Twomey Cellars Merlot (California). Full-bodied with great cherry and chocolate flavors; a long and wonderful finish; an impressive merlot to drink now and for years to come. $66
***** 94 2000 Gordon Bros. Columbia Valley Merlot (Washington State). This beauty is lush and decadent with wonderfully rich mocha and blackberry fruit flavors and hints of toffee framed in oak; the soft texture, sweet, ripe fruit, and lusciousness accompany the rich mouthfeel and a velvety finish; matches well with soft cheeses or lamb chops. $25
***** 93 2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot (California). Inky black in color and inviting cassis and chocolate aromas; ripe dark cherries and roasted coffee beans explode on the palate; meaty and texturally dense, this is a wine to chew. $60
***** 93 2001 Muirwood Merlot (California). A delight from Monterey, this is a fuller-bodied style of merlot with ripe plum and blackberry flavors and a smooth, gentle finish; a silky texture adds to an already voluptuous package. $15
***** 93 1999 Girolamo Castello di Bossi Merlot (Tuscany, Italy). Black cherry, chocolate and toffee accented by charcoal and licorice flavor; great concentration and in due time (5 to 10 years) will be a blockbuster. $90
***** 93 2000 Beringer Napa Merlot (California). Aromas and flavors of cedar, toffee and spice and currant with a full mouthfeel. $20
***** 93 2000 White Oak Merlot (California). Rich, bright red fruit aromas and flavors; cedar and spicy notes with a rich mouthfeel; complex and elegant. $23
***** 93 2001 Simi Alexander Valley Merlot (California). A smooth, rich wine packed with plum and black cherry flavors with spicy vanilla elements; barrel fermentation in French and American oak; a good match for salmon, duck, beef, summer squash and black beans. $17
***** 92 2000 Niebaum-Coppola “Diamond Series” Napa Valley Merlot (California). Bright, jammy flavors and aromas of blueberry and blackberry with subtle tannins. $15
***** 92 2001 Kirralaa Merlot (Australia). Big, bold, aromatic and elegant; loaded with ripe plum and black cherry; long finish; a joint effort from Mondavi and Rosemount. $11
***** 92 2000 Chappellet Vineyards Merlot (California). Hints of blackberry and mint lead to oak, chocolate and coffee flavors; extremely ripe but balanced; Pomerol-like on palate viscous with a long finish. $27
***** 92 2000 Chteau Treytins, Montagne St.-Emilion (France). An intense mouthful of merlot (with just a hint of cabernet franc) long on fruit, intense in flavor and beautiful in its deep purple hue; another great example of the very high-quality 2000 vintage in Bordeaux. $15
***** 92 2002 Cape Diamond Merlot (Oregon). Deep, dark purple (almost black), with a full, smoky bouquet that displays aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis and plum. It booms onto the palate with full body and richness, but good acidity keeps things in balance; a fine cloak of new oak drapes the palate, slowly revealing ripe black cherry and plum flavors; ample tannin marks a dry finish, with the slightest tinge of sweetness on the aftertaste. $13
***** 92 2000 Chateau Boutisse St.-Emilion (France). Dark brick/purple with a soft bouquet that is subdued but inviting, hinting at plum and blackberry; medium-bodied and mild, the fruit flavors build in intensity across the palate, with perfect tannins draping the black raspberry, cherry and mocha flavors; good balance and a long finish complete the package. $30
***** 92 1999 St. Supery Merlot (California). This classy Napa Merlot has softened considerably over the last year, and possesses remarkable grip, poise and balance; weighty berry and plum fruit flavors mingle with herb, spice and anise notes culminating in Bordeaux-like complexity. $22
***** 92 2002 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Merlot (Chile). A superb color intensity with an aromatic bouquet; in the mouth the fruit bursts with freshness and has velvety undertones that coat the walls of the palate and concludes in a truly memorable finish; a great value. $15
***** 92 2000 Chateau Fortin Plaisance, St.-Emilion (France). Soft and elegant merlot-based Bordeaux, showing a wide variety of dark fruit, spices with just a hint of mocha and truffle; the creamy vanilla does not overwhelm the medium-bodied frame, but instead lifts up all of these flavors beautifully; matches well with garlic infused pork tenderloin. $20
FOUR STARS
**** 91 2000 Pine Ridge “Crimson Creek” Napa Valley Merlot (California). Flavors of black cherry and blueberry with hints of vanilla oak and chocolate; ruby red in color with elegant tannins. $25
**** 91 2000 Chateau Cantenac Grand Cru (Bordeaux, France). Fine nose of plums and dark berries; textbook earthiness of St.-Emilion; a bargain of a buy in this vintage. $20
**** 91 2001 Newton Epic Merlot (California). Spicebox, coffee, blueberry compote and herbs mingle on a supple palate of lush, velvety tannins. $45
**** 91 2001 Shafer Merlot (California). Deep violet and viscous with aromas of blackberries and cherries, vanilla bean and herbs; an earth tone keeps the palate from getting too jammy and the long, ripe tannic finish adds class. $39
**** 91 1999 Kelham Merlot (California). Fruit and earth tones mingle nicely on the nose; rich, lusty color; well-balanced texture; the berry finish lingers. $40
**** 91 2000 Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot (California). A full-flavored wine crafted in an elegant and refined style; deep red with concentrated fruit aromas of cherry, dark plums, blackberries as well as chocolate and black currants; plush and lush flavors that are supported by a firm backbone and a long, lingering finish. $40
**** 91 2000 Swanson Napa Merlot (California). Complex aromas of cherries and plum with soft ripe tannins; luscious with lots of blackberry; rich with good acidity and a nice, long finish; enjoy now or over the next few years. $27
**** 91 1999 Sebastiani Sonoma County Merlot (California). Deep, red-brown color; nose of cherries, blackberries with a smoky hint; smooth and well-balanced with impressive fruit flavors; velvety texture and a lingering finish. $18
**** 91 2001 Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Maipo Valley (Chile). Dark purple with a ruby tint, the mild bouquet displays some chocolatey notes to the subtle black raspberry aroma; the acidity is sharp, but not overpowering, and a remarkable beam of white chocolate drapes the mild black cherry flavors, with mocha and spice emerging on the finish. $10
**** 90 2000 Vignalta Gemola Merlot (Veneto, Italy). A traditionally made wine from grapes not traditionally found in this region; dry with beautiful currant and dark cherry fruits. $28
**** 90 2000 Chateau Ste. Michelle “Canoe Ridge” Columbia Valley Merlot (Washington State). Flavors and aromas of coffee, cinnamon and blueberry with hints of spice on the finish; firm tannins. $25
**** 90 2001 Clos la Chance Central Coast Merlot (California). A smooth, velvety, supple wine; flavors of graham cracker, chocolate and cherries; goes well with roasted pork loin. $23
**** 90 2000 Castle Rock Napa Valley Merlot (California). Developed flavors of berry and cherry without any herbal qualities so often found in merlot at this price; exceptional depth, concentration and finish. $12
**** 90 2001 Vega Sindoa Merlot (Navarra, Spain). This Spanish contender will get you rethinking everything you ever thought about “value” merlot; loads of fruit, texture and plenty of tannic structure; tempranillo is king in Spain, but this wine indicates that the most noble of varietals can thrive there. $11
**** 90 2001 Oak Grove Merlot (California). Marries rich, complex flavors of blackberries and plum to supple tannins that give way to a smooth finish; a very good value with genuine varietal character. $10
**** 90 2002 McManis Family Vineyards Merlot (California). Dark, almost opaque purple, with a rich, effusive bouquet of baked cherries and spices that hint at cinnamon and clove; a soft palate entry, with bright red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry; a touch of oak peeks out on the long finish; a wonderful value. $9
**** 90 2002 Vino Dell’Arte Friuli DOC Merlot (Italy). This Italian merlot is soft and velvety with good upfront fruit and a satiny finish; matches well with pizza, turkey burgers and pasta lightly tossed with plum tomatoes. $11
**** 90 1999 Wildhurst Vineyards Merlot (California). A signature red, this wine offers a combination of sweet berry and cherry flavor, delicate herb and buttery oak highlights; attractive, interesting and easy to like. $16
**** 90 2001 Steel Creek Arroyo Seco Vineyards Merlot (California). Gobs of dark fruit are found in the aromatics of this medium-colored merlot; medium-bodied with good structure and flavors of cassis and boysenberry; extremely well-made and seamless; great for grilled filet mignon $15
**** 90 2002 Yellowtail Merlot (Australia). Soft, jammy fruit; light body; easy to drink; a crowd-pleaser. $7
**** 90 2002 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Rapel Valley Merlot (Chile). Good balance of fruit and oak with a touch of spice on the finish; fairly complex. $9
**** 89 2000 Provenance Napa-Carneros Merlot (California). A solid effort from this master of merlot, showing the full spectrum of varietal flavors; best when matched with food. $30
**** 89 2000 Rodney Strong Merlot (California). A model of consistency, this wine displays soft and supple flavors with superb depth and concentration and has enough dimensions of flavors that it will appeal to both connoisseur and novice alike; a delicious wine at a very affordable price. $14
**** 89 2000 Windy Ridge Merlot (California). Great jammy texture without showing Kool-Aid characteristics; mature structure and a rewarding finish; creamy, textured, balanced. $12
**** 89 2001 Estancia Central Coast Merlot (California). Nice deep, red color; good nose of currant and blackberries; full bodied with serious fruit; good balance and a long finish. $15
**** 89 2000 Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Merlot (California). Oak and berries on the nose; lots of black cherry on the palate with appealing oak flavors throughout; an impressive finish. $16
**** 89 2001 Bogle Merlot (California). Black plums and plenty of currant; elegant and smooth. $12
**** 89 2000 Ramsay Merlot (California). Wonderful, rich nose with ripe cherry, nutmeg and blackberry with just a hint of spice; creamy with a rich texture and a lovely finish. $16
**** 89 2000 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot (Washington State). A velvety, smooth, rich merlot; hearty mixture of currant and blackberry intertwined with a strong skeleton of tannin and acidity; guaranteed crowd-pleaser. $12
**** 89 2002 Hanwood Estate Merlot (Australia). Spicy plum fruit aromas highlighted by cinnamon and mocha characters from partial oak maturation; velvety palate of black currant and ripe plum flavors mingling with vanillin and clove notes; wonderful value. $8
**** 88 2000 Clos du Bois Sonoma Merlot (California). Deep red color; a smooth, easy-to-drink wine with rich fruit flavors and a nice touch of oak complexity; plum, cherry and toasted vanilla finish; always a favorite. $13
**** 88 2000 Frazier Napa Valley Merlot (California). Dark ruby in color, the Frazier’s nose features red and black fruits with a good dose of resinous vanilla. Fleshy black cherry in the mouth, there is lively acid and soft tannins to balance the mineral notes in the finish along with a bit of alcohol. $38
**** 88 2001 Chateau Souverain Merlot (California). Always a favorite, this merlot opens with aromas of plum and black cherry; rounded flavors of cherry and chocolate linger through the soft finish. $20
**** 88 2001 Franciscan Oakville Estate (California). Soft, deep plum with a cedar edge, peppery notes in the fat, ripe fruit, good acid and fine tannins in a long finish of dark fruit. $22
**** 88 1999 Sterling Winery Lake Carneros Merlot (California). Deep red ruby color; fruit notes of red raspberry, strawberry, cherry cola and red licorice; toasty French vanilla oak components with plum raisin highlights and a trace of dried herbs; juicy, ripe fruit entry with elegant soft texture, supple ripe tannins and a delightful, long finish. ($29)
**** 88 2001 Rock River Merlot (California). Well-balanced with hints of fresh berries; soft and supple with a long finish. $11
**** 88 2002 Trumpeter Merlot (Argentina). Well-made with blue fruit, a little spice and vanilla all intertwined and harmonious throughout the glass; perfect with lighter style dishes and grilled veal, lamb or pork. $10
**** 87 2001 Taft Street Central Coast Merlot (California). Ruby color; a slight cherry nose with just a hint of herbaceousness; silky mouthfeel and a solid finish. $13
**** 87 2001 R.H. Phillips Toasted Head Merlot (California). Layers of ripe cherry and dark, roasted coffee; a long finish. $13
**** 87 2000 Hedges Merlot (Washington State). Dark rich color with currants and cassis in the nose. Slight smoky character, full tannin rushes the mouth, coffee-bean flavor and chocolates. $15
**** 87 2000 Chateau Mondesir-Gazin, Cotes de Blaye (Bordeaux, France). Soft and approachable, with sweet new oak, ripe, velvety tannins and soft, plump red currant fruits; herb notes chime in on the mid-palate; plenty of material here for long-term aging. $20
**** 86 1999 Arrowood Sonoma Merlot (California). Unfined and unfiltered, this merlot has backbone and depth with lots of dark purple fruit, plums and a tobacco notes; rather bold for a merlot and will stand up to hearty fare; aged in both French and American oak. $45
**** 86 2000 Sterling Napa Valley Merlot (California). Deep purple/red ruby hue; dense, ripe, full concentration of blackberry jam; hints of vanilla bean, cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar; bright, ripe and luscious with a long, full finish. $24
**** 86 2001 Reynolds Merlot (New South Wales, Australia). A velvety wine displaying enticing cherry, vanilla and toasted herb aromas; plush cherry and plum flavors. $8
**** 86 2001 Blackstone Merlot (California). A friendly and inviting merlot; supple with light blackberry notes; soft tannins and light acidity. $10
THREE STARS
*** 85 2001 Marilyn Merlot Napa Valley (California). The 2001 vintage Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon; the small addition of Cabernet gives the wine a more complex vinous aroma and a richer texture on the palate; the addition of 25% new oak barrels delivers the fragrance of milk chocolate that nicely compliments the black fruit flavors of the grapes. $40
*** 85 1999 Adelsheim Merlot (Oregon). This 1999 Oregon Merlot reflects the exceptional balance of the vintage, offering a bouquet of red and black fruits; the rich, supple mouthfeel includes currant and blackberry fruit complemented by vanilla, spices and balanced French oak; round, soft tannins will allow the wine to develop beautifully for at least five years, given proper storage conditions. $18
*** 85 2002 Petit Chapeau Merlot, Vin de Pays d’Oc (France). This is a fun Southern French wine filled with smokey and gamey black cherry fruit, a fine structure, overtones of garrigue (scrubland) and fleshy blackberry fruit in the peppery finish. $10