Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Retail $20. 100% Merlot. DIAM5. I am not a huge fan of Merlot. In fact, if pressed, my highest compliment is usually "nonplussed." And even that is rare. Sure, there are good, even great, Merlots out there, but when am I going to drink one? With a ribeye. Nope, cabernet. With salmon? Hardly (Pinot Noir). Pork? (Chard or Pinot.). Chicken? (See pork.) So, well, it gets a little awkward when it comes to Merlot. I really want to like you, but I see absolutely no situation when we will ever get together romantically, er, gastronomically. This Rodney Strong, though? I could see a fling or two in my future. First, it is a cheap date--about $14 bucks on the shelf. There is really good fruit (which one would hope from the variety), plus some earth, and wonderful balance. There are few "values" in wine these days, but Rodney Strong has to be at the top of that list.
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