Super Merlot Wine Tasting Featuring 1989 Chateau Petrus, 1983 Chateau Lafleur, 1990 Chateau Figeac, 1995 Chateau Valandraud and more..

Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot.

Miles Raymond: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any fu*&^% Merlot!

Merlot is the second most planted varietal on the planet earth, although its popularity has helped give this outstanding varietal an identity crisis.

The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.

When done right Merlot is one of the greatest wines on the planet.  When it is done wrong it is one of the least enjoyable of all wines.  After the boom of the late 1990’s which was sparked by the nations’ most popular news programs 60 minutes expose called “the French Paradox” where they discovered that the consumption of wine was linked to superior heath in people from France.  The U.S. started drinking more wine and Merlot was the bell of the ball so wineries planted this finicky varietal all over the state of California and beyond to quench the demand for this healthy elixir.  

Little did they know that there are only a few places on earth that can make exceptional Merlot.  So it may have been Merlot’s good fortune that Miles in the movie “Sideways” slowed the popularity of this varietal and stopped wineries from planting this varietal in all the wrong places.

There are only a few places on earth where Merlot can reach greatness: Bordeaux (the homeland for this varietal), Italy, Washington State and Northern California.  We have some of the top examples from each of these wine producing regions from the top names like, Chateau Petrus, Chateau Lafleur, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Leonetti Cellars and Duckhorn Winery.

Join us as we experience ten Merlot based wines going back to the 1983 vintage.  The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $995 + tax, for reservations  call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. 

Super Merlot Wine Tasting Featuring Chateau Petrus 1989

Saturday, December 27th

7:30pm

1983 Chateau Lafleur Pomerol

1989 Chateau Petrus Pomerol (RP  100 Points)

1990 Chateau Figeac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

1995 Chateau de Valandraud Saint Emilion Grand Cru

1995 Duckhorn Merlot Howell Mountain Napa

2000 Le Macchiole Messorio Toscana IGT

2003 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion, France

2007 Pahlmeyer Merlot Napa Valley

2008 Leonetti Cellar Merlot Walla Walla Valley

2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot

(#1 Top 100 Wine of the Year in the Wine Spectator)

Menu

Selection of Cheese and Charcuterie

Mushroom Soup with Amontillado Sherry and Crème Fraiche

Beef Tartar Served Over Bone Marrow with Whole Wheat Toast Points and Truffle Aioli

Duck Confit Served Over Current Demi with Sweet Potato Au Gratin

Dark Chocolate Crème Brulee with Raspberry Coulis

The fee for this tasting is $995 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any dietary restrictions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.

All the wines from these GREAT producers on SALE!!