2001 Sieur D'Arques-Vichon-Merlot

[wondersofwine]

I thought the Sebastiani Sonoma Cask Merlot was at least good. Also Snoqualmie Merlot from Washington State. And Bogle Merlot is pretty decent for a very inexpensive domestic wine. The wines of St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France tend to be at least 50% Merlot blends (often with Cabernet Franc). Angelus and Ausone and Figeac are some of the well known names. I had an opportunity to taste a small pour of the 2000 Angelus and really loved it but it is too expensive for my budget. I did order two bottles of La Source from Chateau de Sours. This is a micro cuvee of Merlot grapes picked bunch by bunch (winemaker the Italian Ricardo Cotarelli). The 2000 La Source was quite yummy and while not cheap, was not a "need to rob a bank" price at least as futures. (Around $40 a bottle).