Tasting Room
MerlotWINE OF THE WEEK
Ravenswood Winery
2004 Sonoma County - Merlot ($19)
A rich merlot with a good tannic grip. Flavors of dark cherry, plum, tart red currant, toasty oak and baker's chocolate. Slightly herbaceous. Medium complexity. Soft texture.
2002 Chalk Hill, Sonoma County - Merlot ($68)
A jammy, medium-bodied merlot. Aromas and flavors of juicy red cherry, plum and strawberry. Rich, clean and bright.
2003 Mitsuko's Vnyd., Carneros - Merlot ($25)
Rich, ripe and showy. Complex aromas and flavors of plum, black cherry, toasty oak and hay. Medium complexity.
2004 California - Merlot ($10)
A merlot with bright acidity and good tannin balance. Aromas and flavors of butterscotch, plum, oak and dill.
2004 Rhinefarm Vnyd., Sonoma Valley - Merlot ($30)
A showy style. Aromas and flavors of plum, dill, caramel and toasty oak. Soft and slightly sweet. Uncomplicated.
2004 Napa Valley - Merlot ($28)
A ripe merlot. Notes of fresh berry, cranberry and oak. Drying tannins. Not as much intensity as expected.
2005 Southeastern Australia - Merlot ($12)
An easygoing merlot. Notes of tart cherry, leather, coffee and mocha. Light-bodied. A touch thin. Medium complexity.
2003 Alexander Valley - Merlot ($20)
A good merlot. Flavors of fresh berries and dill. Its big, tight tannins give it great backbone.
2004 Napa Valley - Merlot ($14)
A big wine with pronounced oak. Aromas and flavors of tart cherry and smoky bacon. Big tannins.
2004 Napa Valley - Merlot ($31)
Great varietal character. Nice oak treatment. Notes of red plum, green tea and herbs. Slightly overripe but good.
2003 Napa Valley - Merlot ($28)
A merlot that's a bit clumsy. Notes of cassis, dry cherry, sweet black licorice, and baker's chocolate. Raisiny finish.
TASTING PANEL: Greg La Follette, owner/winemaker of Tandem Winery; Tom Simoneau, KSRO's "Wine Guy"; Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com