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.

Comments

Emma Reichart Gewürztraminer 2020

*Label is for their Riesling not their Gewurztraminer Pale straw hue with loads of sweet aromas consisting of vanilla, citrus, tropical fruit with a lime splash. Palate--mouth watering acid, mouth filling tropical fruit, lime base, with sweet-tart freshness This $10 Gewürztraminer literally "Spicy Traminer" is one of my favorite German grapes and under appreciated much in the way German Riesling is. If you can get past the name, it's a lovely wine that pairs with Asian foods, spicy foods, or all by itself so raise a glass!

Barrel Heist Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Lighter hued cranberry color with aromas of sweet red berries and dried red fruit with a touch of spice. Palate--Fruit forward, easy to quaff with soft tannins, and a simple pleasant all around red. Just don't confuse this with a "real" cabernet Sauvignon. At $7 (Trader Joe's) let's get real... It's better than two buck chuck!

Beaulieu Vineyards Chardonnay (Carneros) 2016

Gentle golden hue with aromas of lovely cinnamon, vanilla, light tropical fruit salad, a hint of bananas and sweet baking spices. Palate--Lovely mouth filling tropical fruit flavors, a luscious, mouth watering, razor sharp acidity, tropical fruit compote., mouth watering structure and a finish that doesn't want to quit with a warm and sunshine flavors keeping you warm in colder climes. BV is one of my favorite California vintners having visited them twice with the best tasting room staff and always solidly vinified wines. This is a lovely Chard from one of my favorite Napa/Sonoma regions and at 5 years of age is going great and should be fine for another 5. The price point on this Chard is $30 and if I paid that I would not have been unhappy with what I got. But I paid $13 for it in this bizarre season of noon-science and pseudo medical BS. Raise a glass to the poor millions who are suffering needlessly in this dark, politically motivated scamdemic. Let wine help you cope....

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