Merlot:  “The Wine That Gets No Respect”

The American Wine Society National Tasting Project

August 14, 2011

Across America, AWS Members in every region plan to participate in the 2011 National Tasting Project Merlot, the wine that gets no respect.  On a rainy day in August, 15 Chapter Members scored 6 wines in a blind tasting random order process.  The American Wine Society’s 20 point scoring method was used (Appearance:  3 max., Aroma/Bouquet:  6 max., Taste/Texture:  6 max., Aftertaste:  3 max. and Overall Impression:  2 max.).

Merlot wines evaluated represented five unique regions.  Pomerol (France), Napa (California), Sonoma (California), Washington State (Columbia Valley), and Australia.

The following are the average scores and prices for each wine:

      Description of the Wine       Score Price/bottle

2005 Christian Moueix Merlot Encore, France                 12.8      $8

2006 Hogue Merlot Columbia Valley Genesis (Wash.)      15.2      $16

2008 Little Penguin Merlot (Australia)                            13.9      $6

2007 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot (Wash.)        14.2      $12

2007 Beringer Merlot (Napa Valley, California)                 14.1      $16

2007 Frei Bros. Merlot Dry Creek Reserve (Sonoma)        13.6      $17

Discussion of Results

The average wine ratings of 5 wines were in the “Good” range (12 to 14).  This corresponds to an everyday table wine.   Only the Hogue Merlot from the Columbia Valley region in Washington State reached the “Excellent” rating category.  The group consensus was that the Little Penguin and Christian Moueix Merlots were both good value wines under $10/bottle. The spread of ratings by category is shown below:

 Total Score Range   Quality Descriptor   Number of Scores in Range

     (18 to 20)  Extraordinary                 11

     (15 to 17)  Excellent                        22

      (12 – 14)  Good                             39

        (9 – 11)  Commercially Acceptable   16

          (6 – 8)  Deficient                          2

              Total ratings                           90

A description of the National Tasting Process and history of Merlot wines can be found on National Website http://www.americanwinesociety.org/.