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Posted by Alan Boehmer Jan 28, 2008 |
Not long ago we noted the conspicuous absence of good quality mid-priced Merlots. The best, whether from France, Italy, Washington State or California all seem to occupy the $40+ price bracket, with some even fetching upwards of $70. Merlots on the low end of the price continuum we found to be varietally indistinct, so our advice was to drink other red wines unless you can pony up to buy luxury wines.
Chateau Pétrus, the prototypical French Merlot based wine, currently sells for $3000. We'll overlook that one for now.
At last we're seeing excellent Merlots that anyone can afford to buy. The best so far comes from Moonstone Cellars in Cambria, California. Moonstone Cellars is an example of the many small boutique wineries popping up all over California's Central Coast. Typically these are husband and wife operations, sometimes with a few acres of vineyard, and sometimes not. The wines are often made in rented facilities. But often, the quality of these boutique wines far outpaces their cost, due to the lack of overhead.
We've previously reported on Mitchella's wonderful $18 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. Now we're pleased to introduce you to the finest $18 Merlot we've found to date.
2004 Moonstone Cellars Merlot Paso Robles; 14.4% alc., $18. Put this wine to your nose and you will think it's a real St. Emilion or Pomorol. The nose closely resembles red Bordeaux with clear aromas of cedar, tobacco and candied cherry. When you drink this wine, you will know it's not really French because of its voluptuous body. But it's not made in the typical overripe, overoaked style so common in California Merlots. A superior Merlot at an unbelievably attractive price. Highly recommended.
And if you live in California, Moonstone Cellars will ship your wine at no charge.