2006 Basel Cellars Merriment

• By Stephen Tanzer
  November/December 2009, IWC Issue #147, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Basel Cellars Merriment Red Wine Walla Walla Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  2/14/2011, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (MERRIMENT Basel) Merriment Dear Friends, This wine is good, really good. Yes, it’s domestic and it’s a “luxury cuvee” but after nursing a bottle for almost three days, it’s head and shoulders above so many other examples that muddle through while not adding anything of interest or intrigue to the wine world. For , this is what our state can achieve when given a mandate of competing at the highest rung - it also proves a winery can do so at a mid-level tariff that leaves both the taster and the producer with a feeling of accomplishment and fairness. To make a long story short, this wine was going to be Mystery #18 (the price is $40-60 elsewhere) but Basel Cellars decided they were so proud of the achievement, they wanted it to be known. In addition, this is the last example produced by Trey Bush for Basel and it’s obvious he gave it his all before handing the reigns over to Justin Basel. So, as a “farewell to Trey” one day appreciation sale of his hard work, revealing the name of the wine seemed appropriate to them. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this is a lilting mouthful of seductive red wine that floats along on a deeply pitched frame of red fruit, dried underbrush, humidor and juice-filled spice nuggets that expand and morph over many hours and days (as noted). There is obvious attention to detail (as in, “$75-100 if it was Napa” attention to detail) and the cork, bottle and overall presentation are first rate. A wine that straddles the fence between those that yearn for excitement and those that revel in restraint, in the end the 2006 Merriment is a modern example that gets it right with a boisterous and sing-along style that pulls in the partygoers, regardless if they are north or south of 14th St. If it means anything, I poured this wine (decanted for 12-16 hours) in the company of a dozen highly acclaimed Washington State red wines from 2006 and 2007 (all of the others received 94pts or more from one of the major critics and all were 2-3 times the cost). At the end of the night, when the ballots were revealed, the 2006 Merriment was first or second on every scorecard. This is quite an accomplishment for any wine, let alone the lowest priced example at the tasting as the palate preferences in the crowd were extremely diverse - from old school to new school and right through the middle: Without question, one of the finest Cabernet-based deals I’ve come across this season (while good on the first night, be sure to give it plenty of air – the wine drinks best after 24 hours of air and through to the third evening. Consuming the bottle entirely on the first night will not reveal its potential). Enough Said. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 24/person until we run out: 2006 Basel Cellars “Merriment” (Walla Walla) - (compare at $40-60) To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to arrive in 2-3 weeks directly from the winery cellar (please check OARS for local pick up after March 7th). It will ship during the Spring shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA WA7220 Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.