The Wine Club Saturday Tasting: Merlots From Around The World 2006/07/01

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2002	Bargetto Regan Vineyards Merlot, Santa Cruz Moutains berry, plum, fruit juice, spicy, a bit alcoholic - so - ws	14.99	**½
2003	Veramonte Casablanca Valley Merlot, Chile beef, cherry, leather, smoke, stone, good finish - so - ws	7.99	***
2002	St. Clement Merlot, Napa Valley mocha, cherry, soft tannin, green pepper finish - so - ws	19.99	***
2003	Concha Y Toro Casa de Concha Peumo Vineyard Merlot, Rapel Valley toffee, spicy, orange pell, med to full body, light but long finish, white pepper spice, licorice - so - ws	9.99	***½
2003	Franciscan Oakville Estate Merlot, Napa Valley cherry, smoke, full body, spice, jammy, very long but bitter finish - so - ws	17.99	***½
2001	La Conseillante, Pomerol dry mushroom, licorice, tannic, vanilla, earth, balance, long finish - so - ws	88.99	****
2001	Havens Reserve Merlot, Napa Valley plummy, spicy, big, concentrated but simple - so - ws	32.99	***½
2003	Provenance Merlot, Napa Valley Herbs, plum, olive, complex, med finish - so - ws	23.99	***½
2003	Chappellet Merlot, Napa Valley plum, blackcurrant, fresh herb and hint of citrus, kumquat, guava, very concentrated, sudden stopping finish - so - ws	26.99	****½
2002	Twomey Merlot, Napa Valley restrained nose, roasted herbs, spice, very concentrated, tight plum, dark chocolate, tea leaves - so - ws	59.99	****½
2002	Etude Merlot, Napa Valley Chocolate, chalky, cherries, very powerful, balanced - so - ws	44.99	****½
1999	Monbousquet, St. Emilion bbq, oak, porcini, coffee, tannic, plum, concentrated, earth, very elegant - so - ws	64.99	*****
2002	Pavie-Decesse, St. Emilion oak, mineral, vanilla, meaty, plum, simple, closed, very tight, but nothing complex. Not a good vintage at all. - so - ws	169.99	****