star rating: Four Stars (86-91)

90+ Cellars Lot Merlot

90
90+ Cellars Lot
Varietal: Merlot
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Mendocino
Retail Price: $10

Tasting Notes: Good value for everyday sipping. Medium-bodied with hints of plum and cedar. Great with mushrooms!
90+ Cellars Lot Merlot

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Markham Merlot 2013

90
Markham
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $22

Tasting Notes: A fruit bomb with hints of chocolate. While this wine starts out very juicy, the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon adds a very tannic dry finish. Overall, a great versatile wine to pair with steak, burgers or roasted chicken dishes.
Markham Merlot 2013

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Joel Gott Merlot 2014

90
Joel Gott
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $16

Tasting Notes: Consistent quality with other Gott wines. Hints of vanilla with blanced blackberry and dark chocolate. Soft, juicy finish.
Joel Gott Merlot 2014

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Magana Merlot 2011

90
Magana
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Navarra
Retail Price: $66.49

Tasting Notes: A wine made only in the best vintages and only nine times since 1979. This exemplifies the darker, denser expression of Merlot with caramelized cherries, smoke, rich loam and bay leaf. Somewhat gritty tannins should integrate with time.
Magana Merlot 2011

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Boomtown Merlot 2013

90
Boomtown
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: Washington
Retail Price: $16.95

Tasting Notes: Medium bodied with lots of dark, lush fruit. Long finish and perfect with your favorite grilled meat.
Boomtown Merlot 2013

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Duckhorn Merlot 2013

91
Duckhorn
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $57.99

Tasting Notes: Founded in 1976, and one of the original cult Merlot-producers. Winemaker Renee Ary utilizes estate fruit in conjunction with other top sites in the valley to produce this state-of-the-art offering. Classic valley fruit enhanced with Cabernet and Cab Franc is aged for 15 months in French Oak. Warm, rich, full-bodied. Pure velvet for beginning to end.
Duckhorn Merlot 2013

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Alexander Valley Vineyards Homestead Red Blend Merlot 2014

91
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Homestead Red Blend
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $21.99

Tasting Notes: Merlot is the foundation for this delightful red blend. Each component’s vilified separately, and then winemaker Kevin Hall adds Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cab and Syrah to round out the blend. Lighter in style, very balanced, easy drinking, with concentrated fruit flavors. Oak aging for 13 months ties the whole package together. Very versatile wine for almost any food group, but fantastic with Texas BBQ.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Homestead Red Blend Merlot 2014

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Four Vines Biker Zinfandel 2012

90
Four Vines
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Smooth and plump. Lots of ripe raspberry and toasty vanilla. Great for BBQ ribs and pulled pork.
Four Vines Biker Zinfandel 2012

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WYSIWYG Rosé 2014

87
WYSIWYG
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Retail Price: $10

Tasting Notes: A light, salmon pink color that has a very expressive bouquet revealing aromas of fresh fruit and strawberry.
WYSIWYG Rosé 2014

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Saget La Perriere Rosé 2014

90
Saget La Perriere
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Loire
Retail Price: $14

Tasting Notes: This 100% rosé of Pinot Noir is sourced from a couple of diverse regions, contributing to its complexity. A bright pink, with subtle salmon tones, in the glass. The nose is comprised of fresh berry, bright cherry and a subtle floral note. The taste is fresh and clean, with a long and balanced finish.
Saget La Perriere Rosé 2014

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Rosé de Floridene Rosé 2014

91
Rosé de Floridene
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Bordeaux
Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes: Tangy redcurrant and cherry flavors show good energy and lift with a spine of juicy acidity. A floral quality comes up on the zesty finish, which leaves behind a note of tangy berry skin.
Rosé de Floridene Rosé 2014

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Reserve de la Saurine Rosé 2014

88
Reserve de la Saurine
Varietal: Rosé
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: IGP Gard
Retail Price: $9

Tasting Notes: Nice melon aromas, pale pink color, crisp acidity, melon and peach flavors with a long finish, an excellent value.
Reserve de la Saurine Rosé 2014

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