TN: Competition for worst wine of the year closes early

So, are you still speaking to the gift-giver?

Sure, I like trying new stuff. These aren't wine people, but gave me a nice basket with this, a Pinotage (that I also didn't like, but not like this), artisanal cheeses, etc. I'm sure they got the cheeses at a little boutique store near them (Jonathan was present when I talked once about preferring unoaked Chardonnays, so this was actual thoughful). It's fun to be able to write a note occasionally about a wine with no redeeming features! cheers!

Well, I have to admit that was one of the worst reviews I ever read though we served what turned out to be a bad Alsatian wine many years ago that a guest promptly vomited. That was my worst wine review ever.

Dale, in defence of poor old Sam Plunkett, I think reds are more his strength. He is more renowned for his Pinot's (cool climate), a spicey shiraz, and a very decent Merlot. Guess all winemakers feel obliged to produce ye ol' Chardy eh?

hooroo....

thats an oxymoron. Merlot should go back to being used for what its good for. A blending grape.

if I run across another, I'll try to give a fair try!

Most of those are blended with Cabernet Franc aren't they? It's also a matter of personal taste. I find 100% Merlots lacking in complexity. I have had a few nice Merlots but for me they just do not stack up against other varietals in depth and complexity. IOW's, for the money they don't deliver enough bang for the buck.

Hard to interpret miles sometimes... I think he is a fan of bordeaux blends... For that he should go to Italy, that is where most bordeaux blends come from

;-)

Mike

DaleW wrote:

Miles, Well, other than Lafleur, I think each one I listed is at least 90% Merlot. Probably only the Italians are 100% Merlot (Petrus has a small percentage of CF planted, though I believe sometimes it is 100% Merlot). But if you were listing great Cabernet Sauvignons, almost all of them are blends too. Offhand I can't think of one major Bordeaux that is 100% CS (maybe M. Pronay can help out?). US varietal rules require I believe 75% of the named grape. Almost every "Merlot" has a bit of CS or CF (or Petit Verdot, Malbec, or non-Bdx grapes) and almost every CS has some Merlot (or other grapes).

I prefer wines with more depth and complexity. Comparitevely 100% Merlots are not up to what can be achieved with many other varietals. It's best use is a blending grape in my opinion.

I'm a fan of Zins, Syrahs, Cabs, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and many others.

I think you will find that there is a good explanation for what you describe. Southern climates have always been characterized by blending (OK I know, Bordeaux is not exactly mediterranean, but they think they are, and that is OK, they'll get it someday...). So guess what, Cabs and Merlots and Sangios usually get assembled, while PN and Chenin and Chard do not. Syrah is a bit schizo, it behaves one way in the south, and another in the Northern Rhone.

Unblended Merlot is a bit like unblended Grenache, it can be extraordinary on its own, but you get the best results by adding other varieties.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Most Sangioveses I drink are 100%, unlike Chianti blends. Most Cabs I prefer are 100%. It seems the past decade or so the use of Merlot etc. to blend with Cab is not as common of a practice, at least not with California Cabs.

I love Syrah from a wide variety of regions but Australia does it best.

While I've had a few very nice Merlots I'd never call any of them extraordinary. Merlot to me just lacks any complexity or lack of a technical term...oommph, pizazz etc. Too one dimensional.

I would say Syrah is done best in France with Hermitage. That is my benchmark. I have had Aus Syrah-Shiraz that was drinkable but nothing like a Hermitage.!!!!

Miles, What Cabernets are you talking about? While most may not say on label, I think most CalCabs still are blends. I recently mentioned info I could find on the California wines labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon I had. Only 1 seems to be 100% CS (BV Georges de laTour Resrve). The others all had some other grapes blended: Barnett Spring Mountain CS: CF & Merlot Montelena Calistoga CS: CF & Merlot Pine Ridge Stags Leap CS: Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec St Clement CS: CF St Jean CS: 10% Cab Franc Sebastiani CS: CF,Merlot, and Zin! Worthy (Axios) CS: CF, Merlot, PV

I can't find reference one way or the other re Karl Lawrence, anyone know?

miles wrote:

Probably not but then they aren't 100% Merlot. They are blended are they not?

How much are such wines? If they are high priced my point stands even more. Other varietals lend themselves to more complexity, even in a cheap wine. Merlot to me is just too one dimensional. Yes, I've had some darn good Merlots but they are a rarity and rather expensive. Not a good value and usually they are not 100% Merlot.

I'll have to try that sometime. Hard to beat Penfolds Grange but thats absurdly priced.