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Thraz · 06-29-2006, 06:19 AM,

Not a wimpy merlot, that. Spicy, perhaps peppery on the nose, surprising for the variety. Then, back to merlot on the palate, very deep and complex, restrained fruit, good finish. I am really not familiar with Italian wines so I can't really compare it to other super Tuscans or others, but I liked it a lot.

I had it by the glass at Cova, in Houston. The restaurant is also a retail store and they sell the bottle for $43. Again I don't know enough about Italian wines to know if it's a good value for that category, but it seems very expensive to me compared to some other quality merlots of similar style, including from Bordeaux.

Innkeeper · 06-29-2006, 06:29 AM,

Is it a Tuscan? We have enjoyed some of the Merlots from Collio-Friuli where they have vineyards of Merlot going way back. The ones we've had were in the $15-$20 range.

hotwine · 06-29-2006, 07:48 AM,

Spec's retail price in Houston is $45.16 per.

Thraz · 06-29-2006, 08:05 AM,

Yes it's a Tuscan from Montepulciano.

Hotwine, I thought Cova's retail prices were very competitive compared to Spec's and others. However, their glass prices are outrageously high. The food was very good (I had great braised oxtail), and I think the way to go is to get a bottle from their retail inventory and have them open that, they only charge a $10 corkage fee. I recommend it if you're in Houston.

hotwine · 06-29-2006, 02:02 PM,

Thanks, Thraz, but when visiting that fair city I always bring my own. Or raid sister-in-law's cellar, which I've stocked for her.

Thraz · 06-29-2006, 11:12 PM,

Hotwine,

Any good places in Houston that you would recommend where you can bring your own? Unless you mean your own - to people's houses. Thanks.

hotwine · 06-30-2006, 06:45 AM,

Sorry if I misled you there, Thraz. We frequently buy take-out when visiting Houston, and bring it to sister-in-law's home for consumption. There are probably BYOB places there, but I don't know of them.

Even the best restaurants seem happy these days to prepare a meal to-go..... saves the manager a table and the saves customers their tips to the waitstaff and sommelier (although I usually tip the usual rate when paying at the cashier).

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