Merlot of the World

Everything served double blind.

We started with 3 Sauvignon Blancs that I didn't note and a Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling from The Finger Lakes.

• 2006 i Clivi Galea Rosso

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Colli Orientali

  Lovely, well built, complex. Soft but strong. mature with fine smoky tannins, some herb and olive. Excellent. My WOTN.

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• 2010 Château Vieux-Rivière

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol

  Softer with high toned red cherry fruit. Soy/umami. High acid. Cassis. Bright with deep mud. Good.

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• 2009 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py Vieilles Vignes

  France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon

  Tangy, high acid. Not enough fruit. Lean. A bit of menthol. Dried cherry. Didn't like this.

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Rocco Di Monterossi 2010
A bit tight. Tar. Dark fruit, fine tannin, a little lean. Good but a bit sappy.

• 2006 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon

  USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Monticello

  Concentrated, dark, deep, extracted. A well made wine, full. Black fruit, good balance Very good. My #3.

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• 2001 Château Le Bon Pasteur

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  A bit disjointed. Black fruit, tar. A bit sappy. Fine tannins. Very good.

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• 2005 Jarvis (California) Winery Merlot

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Big, extracted, full fruit, pepper, expansive. Silky feel. Very good.

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• 2011 Domaine de Chevalier

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Big, a bit sappy. Dark, deep fruit, dark tar. Some fine tannins. Good but young and a bit tight. Got much better later in the evening.

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• 2006 Leonetti Cellar Merlot Columbia Valley

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Ripe & extracted with a dark core. A bit sweet for me.

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WOTN scores:

Clivi Galea 19
Barboursville 14
Jarvis 11
Vieux Riviere 4
Bon Pasteur 3
Leonetti 3