By DOROTHY J. GAITER AND JOHN BRECHER
In a broad tasting of American Merlots that cost $20 to $50, mostly from the 2001 vintage, these were our favorites. While most inexpensive Merlots are meant to be drunk immediately, many better Merlots, including these, will age beautifully for some years. These pair well with steak and similarly serious foods.
| Vineyard/Vintage | Price | Rating | Tasters' Comments |
| Duckhorn Vineyards 2002 (Napa Valley) | $49.99 | Delicious | Best of tasting. Intense, dark and rich, with herbs, earth and cedar -- all in a package that's so sensual it's like blackberry chocolate fondue. Very young. |
| Sarah's Vineyard 'Besson Vineyard' 2001 (Santa Clara Valley) | $20.00 | Very Good | Best value. Lighter than some, with more obvious fruit flavors. It tastes like great grapes, left alone to taste good -- fruity yet not at all sweet. Very pleasant. |
| Steltzner Vineyards 2001 (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) | $24.98 | Very Good/Delicious | A deep, complex wine, with a sense of place and plenty of layers. Slightly herbal and nicely tight, with such great acids it demands a big meal. |
| Corte Riva Vineyards 2002 (Napa Valley) | $44.99 | Very Good | Hefty, with great body and structure, some herbs and plenty of earth. Blackberries and cream. A real mouthful of wine. |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery 2001 (Napa Valley) | $34.99* | Very Good | Elegant, with Bordeaux-like structure and a long, dry finish. Could age for a long time. |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards 2001 (Napa Valley) | $38.99 | Very Good | Smells like chocolate, blackberries and rich soil, with some nice hints of herbs, too. Tight and nicely earthy. |
| Larkmead Vineyards 2001 (Napa Valley) | $36.00* | Very Good | Very serious wine, with hints of black tea and soil. Have it with roast meat. |
| Matanzas Creek Winery 2001 (Sonoma County) | $29.95 | Very Good | It looks and even tastes dark, with hints of tobacco and coffee and a kind of leathery toughness. Classy wine. |
| Provenance Vineyards 2001 (Carneros, Napa Valley) | $26.95 | Very Good | Grapey and pleasant, with some spice and cream, a dark core and nicely dry finish. |
| Rombauer Vineyards 2001 (Napa Valley) | $25.95 | Very Good | Very pleasant, plum-like fruit and terrific acids for food. Quite complete. More forward and easier to drink than some. |
NOTE: Wines are rated on a scale that ranges: Yech, OK, Good, Very Good, Delicious, and Delicious! These came from California, Florida and New York. *We paid $36.95 for the Groth and $29.97 for the Larkmead, but these prices appear to be more representative. Prices vary widely.
No comments:
Post a Comment