One of my favorite movies is the hysterically addictive "Sideways" starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church. I love it. I love the dry humor, I love the scenery, I love the way these two crazy characters wind their way through Napa Valley working through their individual dramas. However, ever since I saw that movie, I've had an aversion to drinking Merlot. Paul Giamatti's character despises Merlot so much and so vehemently that the viewer begins to subliminally hate it as well. Merlot sales must have plummeted after this movie premiered. Well, yesterday I was in Costco (interesting place to scout out wine, I know, but they actually have an amazing selection) and a bottle caught my eye. I'm almost ashamed to admit it but if I'm not searching for a specific brand/variety of wine, I will peruse the bottles and look closer at the ones whose labels catch my eye. Then I read the descriptions, check the Wine Spectator rating and then the price. I'm sure I'm violating all kinds of wine rules by using this system but, hey, it works for me. Anyway, Costco. I came across this nice-looking label with a very enticing description (dark chocolate, velvety finish, cocoa.... ). But it was a Merlot. I backed away as I replayed those famous words in my head, "I'm NOT drinking any *expletive* Merlot!). Then I read the description again. Hmmmm. Good rating as well, and the price.....Costco had it for $10.99 (!) "Well", I thought, "Why not?". On the way home I sent my husband a text message, "Bought a bottle of Merlot". His reply: "Uh-Oh".
I sat down at the table with the opened bottle and poured a glass. Wow, what beautiful, brilliant color. The brightest berry purple, semi-opaque, just gorgeous all the way through. I wish I had a blouse the color of this wine. I swirled the wine and sniffed. The first flavor that hit me was the deep dark chocolate. I don't know how it is that wine can take on the variety of flavors and aromas as it does, let alone the scent and taste of chocolate, but this wine truly did smell like a brick of Ghirardelli dark baking chocolate. It was hard to hold back from taking a sip. I continued to sniff and as the wine developed a bit I noticed an earthy, dusty aroma along with raspberry and black cherry. Finally I took a sip. This wine hit my pallate square on the tip of my tongue with a distinct spiciness. Although it packed a full punch of flavor in the sip, it was also dry and the flavors dissipated from my mouth quickly. My verdict: a moderately complex wine, good quality, and unbeatable price. If this is any indication of my feeling toward this Merlot, the next day we returned to Costco and bought 4 more bottles.
This silky textured wine is round and polished, showing spicy, chocolaty undertones to the ripe cherry and cola flavors that linger on the refined finish. Drink now through 2012. 757 cases made. 91 points ~ Wine Spectator $24.00/bottle ($10.99 at Costco)
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