Freemark Abbey Merlot (Napa Valley) 2014

Beautifully rich black garnet hue with lovely aromas of black licorice, a hint of mint, sweet ripe black berries above the rim with cigar box and tar.

Palate--Rich plush texture with intense jammy dark berry fruit, a cocoa beam down the mid palate, tar, milk chocolate and lip smacking tannins.

This is wonderful Merlot so rich and complex and I would expect nothing less out of one of the historically, iconic folks in Napa. The Wine Enthusiast gave this wine 90 points. they were really stingy! Think 92-93.

When the sorry movie Sideways came out Merlot became a byword. I was bewildered as Merlot is one of the great varietals of the world. I mean the legendary Chateau Petrus is routinely one of the most expensive wines in the world and it is--you guessed it--100% Merlot. I never really got the movie.

Anyway, I don't remember what I paid for it but I know it was under $20 and this is a super value and a super wine that will only improve for the next decade so raise a glass.

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After a few year hiatus from my "real" wine blog, you can now find my reviews at the winecask.blogspot.com I started this blog many years ago and was ranked the #8 wine blog on the world wide web. I am a regular guy with a very limited wallet so I drink what you drink with rare exceptions. So scoot on over there, follow me if you want short, no non sense wine info. Raise a glass!

Peachy Canyon Zinfandel 2017

Nice depth of hue at a dark cranberry jelly with aromas of stewed cherries, and tart pie cherries. Palate--Nice first impression with dry tannins, impressive Zin dark berry flavors full of spice and lingering berry flavors. Peachy Canyon has always made a decent inexpensive Zin and this is at the $8 price point at Trader Joes. It is satisfying, and though it is at cellar temperature at the moment it will even be bigger and open to more expressive Zinfandel fruit. This Lodi Zin is another example of Lodi really coming into its own for solid Zins which are value priced. I still like Sonoma Zins as my fave but honestly it won't be long before long that Lodi may bust their bubble. Raise a glass!

Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2019

Purple hue showing off the uncomplicated, celebratory wine it is, with aromas of nicely pronounced, tart ripe raspberry and beautiful grape jam with a special touch of sweet marshmallow circus "peanuts" candy! Palate--Fresh, slightly tart, ebullient, grape flavors in this Gamay which is celebrated as the first released wine of the year. It is a bacchanalian celebration always occurring on the third Wednesday of November when the "Nouveau" meaning NEW, wine is released world wide on the same day. It has not seen oak, it is a mere 6 weeks from the time of harvest til the time of release and is a simply wonderful, fresh, fruity, wine meant to momentarily lift one's spirits. This is the least expensive release I have seen in a couple decades selling for under $8 which is amazing. Remember this wine does not age so grab a bottle, have some friends over and raise a glass for Nouveau ést arrivé! The Nouveau has arrived!

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