2000 Bogle Merlot vs. 1998 Hogue Merlot

[wondersofwine]

Last summer WW posted on the 1999 Bogle Merlot and got a lot of agreement about its tastiness and bargain price. I decided to have a face off of Bogle Merlot and Hogue Merlot (vintner's selection) but didn't find the same vintages at the grocery store.
Both wines had 13.5% alcohol and were reddish purple in color. The Bogle wine looked more brilliant in the center of the glass and the Hogue was somewhat darker in color side by side. The Hogue merlot seemed to have a closeted nose--couldn't distinguish any particular fruit elements. The Bogle merlot had dark plum scents on nose and palate.
The Hogue started smooth at first taste on tip of tongue but soon turned harsh. It had a slight chewy quality. I felt like it was cleaning out my sinuses, and while they need cleaning, I don't expect to achieve that by drinking wine. Sipping the wines without food, I much prefered the Bogle merlot. With broiled New York strip steak and baked potato with sour cream and chives, the Bogle still came out ahead, but the Hogue was somewhat more drinkable. Since 1998 was a difficult vintage in California, it may have been difficult in Washington state also. To be fair to Hogue I should look for and try a merlot from 1999 or 2000 and maybe from a single vineyard. However, for under $10 I will echo previous acclamations of the merits of the Bogle merlot.