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Merlot tasting...

Posted by mkuller on September 30, 2015 at 21:36:51:
...I am not a merlot fan. I remember when it was a blending grape for cabernet and when cabernet got so expensive, it became popular.

It was comparable to cabernet in some ways, with fruit but very little finish.

Of course the grape has always been popular in France, but I don't think it grows as well in California.

I've had Washington merlots that I liked much better.

Our group of 6 blind tasted 7 merlots over $30 to find some I would like.

1 point for your favorite - 7 points for the one you like least - lowest score wins.

7. 2013 Decoy $30 - 33pts - this was a surprise because it is the second label of Duckhorn who usually makes excellent merlots and the 2012 won our tasting last year.

6. 2012 Red Diamond Washington - $7 - 31pts - a ringer - tasted fruity at first then went downhill (one first).

5. 2012 Frog's Leap Rutherford $35 - 24 pts (tie with 4)

4. 2011 Northstar Columbia Valley Washington $30 - 24 pts (one first)

3. 2012 Stags Leap $33 - 22pts (one first)

2. 2012 Rombauer $32 - 19pts - my first place, rich and full bodied, not as fruit forward as the usual Rombauer red (2 firsts).

1. 2010 Reynolds Stags Leap $55 - 15pts - obviously a little older, but also a little lighter, my #2 (one first).

Note the point gaps - 2 bad ones, 3 in the middle and 2 good ones.

The Rombauer is highly recommended.