I have not been a big Merlot fan over the last several years, probably because so many tasted the same to me and the pricing was a bit overdone.  Then recently, I enjoyed a couple of Italian Merlots that reacquainted me with how rich and multi-dimensional the varietal can be.  With that in mind, I scoured the Tucson landscape for those that I felt were either top wines or good values for the money.  Surprisedly, I came away with some worthy candidates and those were very reasonably priced.

One new addition to assist you.  We are adding an asterisk * to those wines that are good quality for the $$.

AJ’s Fine Foods (www.aj’sfinefoods.com)

Plumpjack Napa Valley, 2006:

This is one nice Merlot with deep cherry and currant overtones, mocha and minty notes and well integrated spice.  Finishes with solid yet smooth tannins………..just a lovely wine.  If you want the burly side of this, drink it now.  Or cellar it for a few years and you’ll be rewarded with a softer version.  $60.99.

Shafer Napa Valley, 2007:

Another Merlot with grip………..blackberry and black cherry scents intermingled with notes of mocha.  Dried herbs and earthy elements at the core.  You can drink this now or let it soften around the edges over the next couple of years.  Either way, this is a great wine………….$49.99

Ahnfeldt Napa Valley, 2004:

A big and powerful Merlot with blackberry, dark cherry, mocha and a hint of licorice and wood.  This is in its prime drinking window now and for the next couple of years and will provide a lot of pleasure……….$47.99

Sbragia Family Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch, 2006:

A nice one dimensional wine with berries, cherry and spice.  Drinkable now or over the next couple of years…………$27.99

Whitehall Lane Napa Valley, 2006:

While not overly complex, I enjoyed this more than the Sbragia for the money.   A little rustic with dried spices, cherry, and spice with tones of soft oak.   Another wine with a couple of years left in it and for $30.99,  a nice wine.

Pedestal Columbia Valley, 2004:

This wine rises to the top with abundant and fresh raspberry, currant and cherry and well crafted tannins.  While the muscular elements of its cousins is not present, this does not distract from the focus of the wine.  Finishes beautifully with all the elements in balance.  I really love the definition of this wine……………..Enjoy this now or over the next few years………..$66.99

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley, 2005 *:

If you’re in need for a simple and inexpensive Merlot, this is it.  For only $12.99, this style is straight forward with dark berry and currant flavors and smoky and lightly spiced finish.  Tannins are well restrained making this a delightfully balanced wine.  I would tempted to drink this now.

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Indian Wells, 2007 *:

As with the basic Merlot above, this wine is simple but very smooth and enjoyable sporting currant and chocolaty aromas and well rounded tannins.  $15.99 is a great price for an everyday tasty Merlot.

The New Beverage House (www.beveragehouse.net)

Swanson Oakville, 2005:

Simple with cherry, spice and vanilla scents….drink now or over the next couple of years……….$30.49

Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills, 2007 *:

For the price, this is about as good as it gets with dark, almost brooding tones of dark cherry, currant and blackberry.  While you might expect the tannins to be rough, they are, in fact, very smooth and refined.  While not a complex wine, you can’t beat this for………….$14.70.  You can drink this now but it has a good several year life ahead of it…………….not bad for an everyday wine…………back up the truck!

Hogue, 2006:

If your budget is constrained and you love Merlot, this is delightful wine to be enjoyed now or over the next year.  Sports light cherry and expresso aromas and runs $9.99!

Gordon Brothers Columbia Valley, 2007:

Lovely cherry and spice with some herbal/vegetal overtones.  Drink now or over the next few years……………$21.88

Pedestal Columbia Valley, 2005:

Like its ’04 brother (at AJ’s), this is a very fine wine with muscularity and chewy tannins.  Sports very smooth blackberry notes along with currant and mocha.  This has some nice potential going forward and should soften into a beautiful and well rounded Merlot.  Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.  Call for pricing but probably in the $60 range.

Pastiche (www.pasticheme.com)

Northstar Columbia Valley, 2003:

A soft version of Merlot, offering great finesse with blackberry and cherry scents interwoven with pleasant waves of tar and licorice.  Finishes with a soft layer of tannins.  Now seven years old, this wine is in perfect shape for enjoyment and will probably hang on for another couple.  $27.99

Mollydooker South Australia The Scooter, 2006/2008:

Great producer of reds………………this version is full of rich berries and a smoky, slightly spicy scent.  The ’06 should be enjoyed now and the ’08 over the next couple of years……….both sell for $26.99

Gordon Brothers Columbia Valley, 2007:

Lovely cherry and spice with some herbal/vegetal overtones.  Drink now or over the next few years……..$21.99

Flying Fish Washington, 2007:

A nice crisp everyday Merlot with lively cherry and soft spices…….$13.99

Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley, 2005:

Juicy cherry and plum with a nice spine of spice and herbs……$13.99

Rumrunner

Leonetti Walla Walla Valley, 2008:

Simply stated, a beautiful wine from a stellar producer.  An impressively dark merlot with waves of black fruit, currant and cassis, spring floral scents and a toasty vanilla oak.  Perfectly balanced acidity and sweet, soft tannins round out this delicious experience.  You can be hedonistic and drink this now, but it will cellar nicely for the next 5-8 years.  $89.99

Pride Sonoma Napa Counties, 2006:

A muscular wine with deep fruits of currant and plum; rustic and earthy notes of wet earth, tar and licorice.  Finishes with moderately stiff tannins that should continue to soften with time, yielding a beautiful Merlot in a couple of year.  If you like your Merlot on the hefty side, drink it now.  But I suspect that it will be better integrated in a couple of years.$69.99

Shafer Napa Valley, 2006:

An enjoyable display of red fruit, spice, mocha and leather.  Finishes with moderately soft tannins.  Enjoy now or over the next few years…..$47.99

Total Wine:

Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Hills Canoe Ridge, 2005:

Nice mid range Merlot with cherry, spice and a whiff of gaminess.  Finishes with soft tannins.  Drink now…………$$21.99.

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Cold Creek Vineyard, 2006:

A very approachable Merlot with fresh cherry and plum, a bit of spice, some oaky elements and lively tannins.  Enjoy now or over the next few years…..$27.99.

Chappellet Napa Valley, 2006:

A straight forward Merlot displaying cherry, currant, oaky spice and mocha wrapped in soft tannins……………drink now or over the next few years…$27.99.

Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Grand Estates, 2007:

A delightfully simple Merlot with elements of dark berries and a gamy scent.  Mild tannins.  Nice everyday Merlot for $7.97……….Drink now or over the next year.

Cuvaison Napa Valley Carneros, 2005:

Solid wine with dried cherry and herbal notes.  Mild tannins at the close.  Drink now or over the next year……….$25.99

Darioush Napa Valley Signature, 2005:

A rich and muscular wine with fruits of currant and blackberry supported on a rustic framework of graphite, leather and hints of expresso.  Firm tannic structure that rounds in the end…….Drink now or over the next year………$46.99

Duckhorn Napa Valley, 2006:

Tasty Merlot with cherry cola and currant overtones; notes of dried herbs and oak.  Not much in the way of a tannic structure so finish fades easily….Drink now…$47.99

Duckhorn Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard, 2005:

A solid wine with currant, plum and expresso aromas; hints of leather and an oaky tinge to the tannins……….drink now……….a little richly priced for me considering the style…$79.99

Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County, 2006:

A simple Merlot with cherry and blackberry aromas; nice spice and dried herbs…..drink now or over the next year….$17.99

Gordon Brothers Columbia Valley, 2007:

Lovely cherry and spice with some herbal/vegetal overtones.  Drink now or over the next few years…$15.99

Grgich Hills Napa Valley, 2004:

A solid wine with cherry and dried herb scents; a nice tinge of oakiness with lean tannins at the close…..drink now…..$35.99

Hall Napa Valley, 2005:
A simple and enjoyable wine with aromas of currant, spice and oak…drink now…..$22.99.

L’Ecole #41 Columbia Valley, 2005:

A lively style for a Merlot….bright cherry aromas, some spice and soft tannins are the rewards here………Drink now or over the next year….$30.99

Martin Ray Napa Valley, 2005:

A simple Merlot with red cherry and currant; a hint of spice and oaky vanilla….drink now…..$19.99
Northstar
 
Columbia Valley, 2005:

Prominent cherry flavors and aromas, nice spice and a subdued tannic finsish.  Overall, a nice wine that should be enjoyed now…..$34.99

Northstar Walla Walla Valley, 2003:

A somewhat rustic wine with licorice and graphite notes; deep currant flavors and a toasty oak nuance…….Drink now or over the next year…..$46.99

Rutherford Ranch Napa Valley, 2007 *:

This is a nice style with fragrant black cherry and currant notes wrapped in spice and tinges of graphite and licorice….Finishes nicely…..drink now or over the next couple of years………..very reasonable price for this one….$14.49

Saint Laurent Wahluke Slope Mrachek Vineyards, 2005 *:

Another nice Merlot for a reasonable price………….lots of cherry mingling with earthy notes,  green and black olive nuances all supported with an underlying acidity.  Nice balanced finish…………..Drink now or give it a few years……$16.49.

Stag’s Leap Napa Valley, 2006:

Well structured with solid tannins, deep plum and currant scents and dried herbs…Enjoy this now but will probably be even better in a few years…..$35.99.

Swanson Oakville, 2005:

Another well structured Merlot with cherry and currant aromas propelled by waves of oak tinged spice…….finishes with mild tannins……drink now or over the next couple of years………..$25.99

Whitehall Lane Napa Valley, 2006 *:

A lovely Merlot that opens with red cherry and currant tones along with dried spices giving way to softer notes of mild spice and vanilla.  Really enjoyable wine….drink now or over the next few years…..$25.99

Tags: AJ's Fine Foods, Merlot, Pastiche, Rumrunner, The New Beverage House, Total Wine