2009 Robert Mondavi -Meritage (Private Selection)

86% Merlot, 9% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah

Our 2009 Merlot is the star of the vintage. The fruit was very late to ripen, but that is the case in the best European vintages also. Big, rich color. Full blackberry, currant, and plum nose. The flavors are in the dark fruit range. Full tannin and rich, supple mouth are very lush. Big and bold with lots of smoky, toasty oak. Long and lingering finish. In crafting this wine, we chose exceptional Central Coast grapes, primarily from Monterey County, a region that provides the temperate climate, cool breezes, and moist alluvial soils that Merlot loves. We blended the Merlot with 5% Petite Sirah for added color and richness and enhanced the wine’s pure fruit flavors with just a hint of oak for roundness and complexity. Enjoy this wine with barbecued chicken, spaghetti bolognese, wild mushroom risotto, or a perfectly grilled burger. ($12.50 / Bottle)

(전 개인적으로 Meritage는 여러 와인을 섞여서 그런지..걍 좋아하는 편은

아니라서요..그래도 첫맛은 약간은 부드러우면서 뒷맛의 썁썁은 맛은 뭐..

고기종류와 같이 먹으니 한결 부드러워 지는느낌..B+)

2009 Cameron Hughes Lot234 –Meritage (Atlas Peak Napa Valley)

Taste: Lot 234 is rich with wild berries, violet and herbaceous flavors. Exotic fruit and savory notes compete for attention on the palate while floral and berry fruit notes unify aromatically. This type of complexity embodies Atlas Peak and its depth as an appellation.

Grape:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Cameron Confidential: This estate is located within Napa Valley's Atlas Peak Appellation, aptly named after Atlas Peak Mountain, which locals in-the-know also call the Blue Mountain. It's the highest point in the region rising 2,663 feet above the valley floor. Located in Napa's eastern hills, the peak juts out of the Vaca Range which separates Napa from the Sacramento valleys. The appellation can be demanding with its high elevation, thin soils, and rocky outcrops. Yet those who see beyond its challenges are rewarded with a mountain-influenced climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Atlas Peak is sunny. Yet, night-time temperatures drop, making it a perfect combination for growing grapes with good sugars and acid. And what that means in the end is a bottle of wine that shows off its lush fruit flavors without being flabby. ($16.00 / Bottle)

(아따 ~ 이와인은 첫맛부터 떱은 맛이 강하였지만 향긋한 과일향이 은은하게 스치는게

음~ 뭐 그다지 위의 와인과 틀린점을 못 찾고..T.T 제 능력의 아니 입맛의 한계를 느꼈

습니다...)

2007 Paso Creek – Merlot (Paso Robles, CA)

91% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 2% Syrah.

Explosive black cherry with cigar box aromas followed by notes of white pepper and sweet oak. ExplosivBold and juicy flavors of blackberries, cherries, currants and spice. These flavors are complimented by sturdy tannins, balanced acidity and a long rich finish.

($17.00 / Bottle)

 (역시 Merlot의 맛~ 진한 맛이 목구멍을 넘어갈때..그 떱은 맛을 같이 먹은 야채볶음이

부드럽게 넘기게 도와줘서 그런지..Merlot을 좋아하시는분들은 싫어하지는 않으실듯^^)

2010 Kirkland Columbia Valley - Merlot

Keeping the price under $10 (it was $9.50) helps this bottle a lot because I find it hard to complain too much about what you get for such a low price.  So then it really becomes a price to value story and this nets out ok in my opinion. 

It's noticeably very young, the fruit is fresh, and while it's lacking depth and some finishing touches, it's not a bad deal for what you are paying for it.  I probably prefer Kirkland's Alexander Valley Merlot just a bit more, and really would recommend kicking down just a few more dollars and opting for the excellent Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot, which I noticed was available again in my Costco store.

CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 85 Points

(코스코 브랜드라 깔~ 보지마이소 ^^* 가격도 착한것이 첫맛이 아주 Light하면서 부드럽게 넘어가는 Merlot으로 결정을 짓고 :)

읽으시느라 좀 지루하셨으니... ㅋㅋㅋ

이날 호스트꼐서 직접 준비해 주신 상차림 인증샷 올립니다요 ^^