Just southwest of famed Montalcino in Tuscany, Argiano produces this attractive blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 20% Syrah, each fermented and aged for several months in French and Slavonian oak separately before blending. Sampled at the Vias Portfolio tasting last week in NYC

The wine list is incredible (and your key opportunity to sample all of Bouza wines). Merlot 09. Very elegant Merlot.  Tannat  (50) Merlot (30) Tempranillo (20). “What are those curious birds!” I can’t help but ask, as we tour the vineyard of Bodega Bouza in Uruguay. They grapes will include Pinot Noir and Riesling.

Mercer Estates wines sampled at lunch included the Pinot Gris (one of the best selling wines in Washington), the Merlot (absolutely my favorite of the Mercer Estates wines with its mouth filling, rich flavor, incredible balance, and pure elegance of fruit) and Cabernet Sauvignon. "This Gone Fishin wine label is great!"

Tonight I am getting a head start with a very nice Merlot from one of my favorite California wineries, Concannon Vineyards. 2008 Selected Vineyards, Central Coast Merlot( $10 ). Winemakers Notes : The 2008 Merlot, Selected Vineyards is a luscious wine with soft edges and rich flavors. This is a very nice, delicious soft Merlot.

tasting them day in and out, blending samples, distinguishing between the barrels that will be blended into other main lots and those that may stand out on their own to be designated some sort of "reserve" is a tough process. Merlot from Oak Knoll and 1.7% might not understand them yet; they might not show themselves. alcohol. alcohol.

During 2011 En Primeur, I had the good fortune to enjoy Mr. Blanc’s hospitality, sampling many of the older vintages and learning about the extensive history of the property. The first grapes were hand-picked on the 27th of September (6 days later than 2009) and the harvest of Merlot grapes lasted until the first of October.

Recently selected by Wine Spectator as one of the five best wines in the world, made with grapes grown in the area of Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany, this blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in new barrels and casks for 18 months.

The Conservancy collection includes Pitite Sirah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks representing the brand. Last year I reviewed a 2007 Petite Sirah from Concannon Vineyard , so I was delighted to recently receive the 2008 vintage. The color was a very dark purple.

Sampled at the Gambero Rosso "Tre Bichhieri" event at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC Excellent balance, round and soft.

From Colli Senesi in Tuscany, this blend of hand picked 85% Sangiovese, 8% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino and 2% Merlot grapes is fermented in glazed cement basins, aged for 20 months in oak barrels, then refined in bottle for at least 4 months. Sampled this at Vino 2010 Italian Wine Week at the Waldorf Astoria

From The North Fork of Long Island, Macari produces this delicious blend of 42% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Macari Vineyardsalcohol, retails for $42/bottle.

Melini Borghi d'Elsa Chianti DOCG 2009 85% Sangiovese Grosso with 15% Canaiolo, Malvasia, Trebbiano, Merlot, 3 months aging in stainless steel, more floral undertones mingling with forest floor, a bit of toasted nuts, ripe cherries and raspberries. Violet, ripe cherries, coffee, cocoa, mint with floral finish.

Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks at Banfi Vintners. few weeks ago I received three red wines, an Eco-Balance Carmenere, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. few nights later with a meal of pork chops, whipped potatoes and sauerkraut I opened the Merlot, a blend of 89% Merlot and 11% Syrah.

Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks representing the brand. Appellation: Spain Inaugural Release: 10,500 cases Blend: 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Tempranillo, 8% Grenache and 8% Graciano Alcohol: 13.6%. The Seven finished smooth with some spice, but very short.

headed to the market having had a light breakfast, so I would have room for as many samples as possible. Next stop was Painted Goat Farms , where I sampled and bought some delicious goat cheese with herbs, olive oil and pignoli nuts. The stalls are set up under the FDR Drive so it's semi-protected from the elements. Good idea.

Greg Dal Piaz from Snooth organized a tasting last week to sample nine Bordeaux wines from the 2004, 2005 and 2006 vintages, and below are some of my tasting notes. 2004 Chateau Sociando Mallet Haut-Medo c Full bodied, animal, barnyard, chocolate covered cherries, cherry liquore, dry leaves, $50. Chateau Dassault St.

10 *Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks representing the brand. Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. Shirley keeps doing her part by challenging me to come up with a pairing for some of her weird dinner experiments. Winemakers notes: In the hills near Rome are areas of volcanic soil over 2000 years old.

While there I let the girls buy up all the fruit and veggies along with some free range meat and eggs they wanted while I hunted around for some wine samples. Winemakers notes: A classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. 61% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks representing the brand. I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings.

If you have seen the TV show CSI, some of the wine was treated like a blood sample in that it was put in different vials, and the different vials were put into a tray inside a machine that was hooked up to a computer. a limited selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah from different harvests. Day 2?? Hoses are everywhere.

Now that the cabernet sauvignon is ready for racking and blending I've started playing with sample blends. enjoyed the merlot sample with 20% cabernet sauvignon blended in, but not the other way round. 2) Dark fruits. 3) Mellow and round. 4) Press wine (round, full). Petit verdot showed very nicely in 2009. with a 3.9

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

had the pleasure of meeting him yesterday to sample some of his newer releases at the Snooth offices in NYC. Lot 169 Napa Valley Merlot 2007: new release Blue fruits, candy cane, some heat, blueberries, oak, structured. Cameron Hughes is a Negociant in the wine world, delivering small "Lots" of high-end wines at very affordable prices.

disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Patricia Schneider Associates for review. Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley. Suggested retail is $15. must buy!

So here I am in Bordeaux the Sunday before the beginning of En Primeur, where journalists will sample the new 2009 vintage. At 21 hectares for red varietals, the vineyard is composed of 82 percent Merlot, 13 percent Cabernet Franc, and 4 percent Petite Verdot. Jean-Jacques & Florence Dubourdieu. I quite agree. But wait! The 16.5

Dry whites or Merlot year.Some superstars. Dry whites or Merlot year.Some superstars. Over the past month, critics and wine trade buyers have been on the ground in Bordeaux, tasting the 2009 vintage before they go on pre-sale (as “futures&# ) in the coming months. So how did things pan out in the glass? Overall. Lafite 100.

75% Sangiovese (Minimum required by DOCG), plus 25% other varieties like Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. After the initial tasting, we moved on to the luncheon where there were four more wines to sample. Ruffino Romitorio di Santedame Toscana IGT 2004 60% Colorino, 40% Merlot, this one being my favorite of the day.

The East End has 49 wine producers and many were on hand at The Astor Wine Center to pour some of their samples. Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% million per year.

Full Disclosure: This sample bottle was given to vignauvavino compliments of Macari Vineyards. Tags: north fork sustainable Organic merlot long island wines Macari About Macari Vineyards Macari Vineyards, located on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island in Mattituck, is owned and operated by the Macari Family. Joseph Macari, Jr.

Monte Bello, the estate’s top wine, is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and some Merlot, but also, in some vintages, some petit verdot. In a process known as assemblage, the various samples are then blended and set aside for another few weeks, when a second and final blend occurs. The road to Monte Bello. had chosen. In the glass.

Last night I only had about an hour to sample as many wines as I could at the Gambero Rosso Tasting Italian Wines of 2010, so I checked out the table listing and went directly to the ones that caught my eye. Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso Superiore 2006 DOC 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese.

Behind the bar one of the owners, Joe Rabasco recommends the Costa Del Sol Napa 2005 blend of Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Merlot produced by Bennesere Vineyards. After the good advice Joe gave us on the wine, he and his brother Peter help us pick a sampling of some Small Plates. That’s a good start. I'll definitely be back

This following worlds, and all of the following words was a cut and paste from Santa Monica's Wine Expo mailer. guess my book is still relevant. Fighting Globalization in your Glass 'Once you guys succeed in making all wine taste the same, what will you do for a living?'

Throughout the evening we sampled a broad spectrum of 5 wonderful wines, 1 Italian white, 3 Italian reds and 1 California Cab. Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 70% form Napa, 30% from Sonoma with a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Well, here they are.

It is made from mostly Sangiovese with small amounts of Malvasia Nera, Colorino, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and is aged 24 months in barrel. Full disclosure: This bottle was a complimentary sample for Vigna Uva Vino from Marchesi de Frescobaldi Fine tannins are expressed with a long clean finish.

From the Columbia and Walla Walla Valley in Oregon comes this tasty blend made from 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 14% Syrah. Select Cuvees of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah from top sites in the Walla Walla Valley were blended with choice lots from the Columbia Valley to produce this unique wine.

From the Macari Vineyards in Mattituck, Long Island's North Fork, comes this blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec. Full Disclosure: This sample bottle was given to vignauvavino compliments of Macari Vineyards But this blend really makes for an interesting variation on the theme.

On the North Fork of Long Island's wine country comes this delectable 100% Merlot. Full disclosure: this sample bottle sent to me compliments of Macari Wines Ruby red colors in front of layers of eucalyptus, fresh mint and chocolate, combine with flavors reminiscent of licorice, white pepper and a jammy undercurrent.

Through their importer PRGrisley , I was sent a sample of both wines. With ample experience in making and aging great wines dating back to 1964, Santiago Ijalba García left his position as general and technical manager in a historic Haro bodega to launch his own personal project. he created the VIÑA HERMOSA brand. That, I would not recommend.

From Macari Vineyards on the the North Fork of Long Island comes this Sette Frati (seven brothers) blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. Note: This sample bottle was given to me by Macari Vineyards Ripe berries, glycerine, plums and spices round out the flavors of this well balanced unique wine. Retails for $16.99.

Made mostly of Merlot, although I do not know the exact blend. Disclaimer - I received this wine as a sample from the importer. Disclaimer - I received this wine as a sample from the producer. Another wine from the north Fork of Long Island, another Merlot blend, but this one is not in the same class as the Shinn wine.

Really, they don’t speak for all of New York’s wine lovers, especially those of us patiently waiting for our turn to sample and move on. Sean Larkin is producing exceptional cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot (on the Jack Larkin label). Welcome Napa Valley Vintners! Yes, it’s cold and dreary in New York. didn’t even try.

I've been good natured about mostly neglecting to review unbidden samples. STARMONT Merryvale, 2006 Napa Merlot -$24 Popcorn. Is this a blend of the Merlot and the Charonnay? Instead of spending energy knocking the ones that upset me, I pawn them off on unsuspecting neighbors. thought why not? Give them a whirl. Sawdust.

Out of the five that I sampled three were from Tenuta San Felice in Chianti Classico, one was from Tenuta Campogiovanni in Montalcino and one from Tenuta Perolla inMaremma. One of the most memorable parts of my cycling trip through Tuscany was a visit to Tenuta San Felice at Relais Borgo San Felice. All photos by Dave Trieger © 2006

But guess what they served the water sample in. I tried a 2005 blend made with Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc and a little "Limnio" another indigenous grape. Living in NYC has its trade offs.  I live in a tiny place (and pay through the nose for it), the humidity is brutal, I miss nature.I can go on & on.  Observation #1 - Olive Oil is in. 

©2008 digital image by Dave Trieger Starting off with my favorite pick from the 25 plus wines sampled at the Murcia Tasting at the Astor Center this week, from Jumilla , Spain comes this wonderful blend of 95% Monastrell (the lynchpin grape of the region) and 5% Merlot. And I mean intense. could almost see the violets.

For about $50 you can sample almost every important wine that Long Island has to offer, meet and talk to the folks who make the wine, taste loads of interesting food, and mingle with the stars. Shinn's 2005 Estate Merlot is balanced and spicy, and just delicious. Enough to make you rethink Merlot. Where is the soil? Just my.02

We had some Merlot & Cab from both a regular series and a reserve one. finished with a barrel sample of their 2006 Cab which was bit tight but showed blue/black fruit and gripping tannins. But it was not an ordinary Cabernet barrel sample, it was "free run" cab, the portion of the cab used in Staglin's premium red blend.

Today after work a few of us got together and sampled a really powerful bottle of wine from California. it's 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot and barreled for 19 months in new and used French oak. Powerful because it is 15.1% alcohol, but also because it's intensity is almost visible. and a nice long velvety finish.

April 12 for the Twenty-third California Futures Tasting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, featuring wines from 48 producers' 2006 vintage, plus a number of additional samples. Eric Baugher (left) Sean McBride (right) holding bottles of 2006 and 2007 Monte Bello. traveled down to Wasihngton D.C. He was one of the stars at the tasting. Awesome.

And their 2004 "Right Bank" Red, a blend of Cab Franc (53%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (9%) & Cab Sauv (8%) was beautiful. She had a nice Sauvignon Blanc and very pleasant Merlot as well. It had 84% Cab Franc, 14% Merlot & % Cab Sauv and was delicious. Sadly, the prices for Peay wines are quite high. Great stuff.

Most of the wines I talk about in this blog don't go for more that $20, But last weekend I treated myself to a tasting at Italian Wine Merchants (Founded by Sergio Esposito, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich) and sampled six wines from various regions in Italy. And for $50 I got to sample 6 excellent wines, so in my book it's a great deal.

good bottle of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or Chardonnay from Long Island usually costs the same as a better bottle of wine from elsewhere. learned, though, that I am not a fan of the Long Island style of Sauvignon Blanc, which based on the wines I sampled at this tasting, is super pungeant, o'er brimming with cat pee aromas. alcohol.

These cost about $100 clams, but they offer an amazing opportunity to sample "at least 16 wines" from a specific locale. If you live in or near New York City, and you like wine, here are some tastings that should not be missed: Dressner Selections Real Wine Attack 2007, March 22-24, FREE. Aimez-vous Pinot Noir? Yes, this should be a blast.