Replies

Merlot is a pleasant grape with (usually) rather weak tannins. I think it became so popular because 1) it's so much easier to pronounce than some others (Comte Georges de Vogue Musigny anyone?) and 2) its soft, fruity taste ensures that you can give it to women to drink without fearing they will wrinkle up their noses and go 'Eeeww! This is so sour!'.

I hardly ever drink it, except in Bordeaux-style blends. There are a few famous Merlot-only bottlings including especially Chateau Petrus and also the Ornellaia Masseto from Tuscany. I had a bottle of the 1995 Masseto last year in Florence and it was one of the best things I ever drank. Well worth the $150 it cost me.

However, these great wines are exceptions to the rule of flabby, undistinguished Merlots on every restaurant list. Give me a good Cabernet or Shiraz any day.

-ccm

$150.00

Call ME cheap - I would not pay that for dinner.

Of course, being half-scot and halb-deutsch, I am tight with a penny, and militant about it.

Jordan Cabernets are always good. For a delightful little everyday wine, we've come to like a Texas Cabernet, St. Genevieve from the Cap Rock.

The Rosemount Shiraz just won a gold medal at the Dallas Morning News Wine Tasting.

I'm envious re the Ornellaia Masseto (but wasn't it infaticide?)

How would you compare it with really signficant Cabs though? First Growth Bordeaux at full maturity in good years? Top California Cabernets in good years (e.g. 1970 Heitz or BV Latour, 1941 Inglenook Cask or BV Latour, 1955 Martini Special Selection -- these are my personal benchmark wines for California Cab -- nothing has come close to these wines at their peaks)