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Of course, that is fine. Merlot is mostly a high-end blending grape whenever it is possible to have Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. I consider Cabernet Franc mostly a blending varietal as well, although it is used as a 100% varietal in the Loire Valley of France as well as in California, Washington State and Canada. It buds a bit later, I think, so is a better insurance. Anyway, there are lots of Bordeaux-style blends with 60% or more Merlot (which makes the wine silky, smooth and a bit softer, in my experience). I may even open a high-end British Columbia wine - one that may be available in some major centres in the United States.
I'm still looking at mine. Google is doing the leg work.
I have decided to review a Canadian wine of stature... probably the 2014 Osoyoos Larose Grand Vin (owned by Chateau Larose, St Julien, France) which is 70% Merlot. You should all be able to obtain this wine if you so desire, and you should so desire, IMHO.
I've been busy going through all my merlot wines and don't have a single 100% merlot bottling. The best I can do is 95%, but - and it's a big but - it's a 2015 La Canne Pomerol and I just had one about 3-4 months ago and it needs a couple more years of laying down - I'll choose from one of my 3 90%ers. It was fun being down there for that long moving bottles and enjoying "quiet" time in the cellar.
I do have a 100% merlot coming - 2014 Keenan "Mailbox Vineyard Reserve" Spring Mountain District Merlot - but not in time.
I have been drinking a very aromatic Juan Gil Monastrell 2015 while doing it.
Keenan Merlots are solid, and the Mailbox Reserve bottling is consistenly outstanding. As l've said multiple times I find Spring Mountain District reds to be quite tannic. They take years to calm down. That is why I am not considering the Barrnett '13 that have in my cellar. When you say "not in time," I assume you mean that you will not receive it by Tuesday. Good. Hide it for a few years.
I'm still unsure about what wine I will be opening. I fully expect that it will be a domestic varietal bottling, and I also expect that the percentage of Merlot juice will not be disclosed.
I was planning on it - the pundits were saying 5-7 yr, which means another 2-3. Almost Bordeaux like in the recommendations from the places I've looked at and, for me anyway, that's a good thing.
OK, I've just returned from a provisioning trip to Total Wine. Among other things I have to stock up on whites for b-i-l in exchange for catsitting duties that he will be doing for us.
I did, however, pick up two wines that are eligible for Tuesday's event--a varietal bottling from a pretty good Napa Valley maker and a Right Bank Bordeaux from a maker about which I know nothing.
I'm only going to open one.
Whadaya think?
Open the Silverado - enjoy a meal with it.
One vote for the Silverado, plus my vote for the Silverado makes it unanimous.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
Oh, Paul, I also picked up that Hahn SLH PN. It's not clear when I'll get around to it--maybe this week, maybe not--but I will report on it.
Which year? The '16?
Yes, the Hahn SLH is from the 2016 vintage.
I have my Merlot for Tuesday night - I am ready!
Kathleen, which bottle do you plan to open?
So do I, meager as it is.
I have a St. Francis Merlot
I simply do not have many Merlot wines.
Allen - which wine do you plan to drink? I will be with Sallie after our run.
What yr is your St. Francis - I don't want to do the same wine. Thank you.
Allen - I recommend you pour a Duckhorn Merlot
We'll see. I think Sandra will be with me to enjoy a nice bottle. She's skipping wine today in preparation for the event.
What yr is your St. Francis - I don't want to do the same wine. Thank you.
Why all the concern about the vintage year?
I think it is interesting if different people offer their opinions on the same wines.
I look forward to the day where we all taste the same vintage of the same bottle, and thus we'll have a true comparison of our palates.
I have changed my mind from the Osoyoos Larose 2014 to a serendipitously discovered Painted Rock Merlot 2009... an near impossible bit of luck. This wine is a BC wine from one of the most revered producers in the Okanagan Valley. I am looking forward to it... if it is anything like their Meritage blend (Red Icon), it will be nectar of the gods. I will post a picture later as I don't have a hand-held device handy at the moment.
BTW, I changed my mind from the OL not because of quality, but because the Painted Rock is 100% Merlot. See you all tomorrow...
My St. Francis Merlot is a 2016. I wish I had one older but do not. I also have a Duckhorn 2016. Which one is recommended?
I would go for the Duckhorn. My reasoning is probably more emotional than rational:
Really, either one of them sounds good.
Just looking for a little diversity. Exposure to different wineries is all.
I like variety also - I just have very little merlot -
It appears that you are not alone. I thought I was the only one with a limited inventory of Merlot, but it turns out that more than one of us have had to buy something for this event.
I may cheat and open another variety to go along with merlot - I wonder if Allen will be surprised