Napa

[KateMaine]

Hi,

Would love to hear what your favorites Napa merlots are.

Kate

[newsguy]

taking value into account, my favorite napa valley merlot probably is swanson (in the $19-23 range). markham ($17-$20) would be a distant second.

[Innkeeper]

The ones the Newsy recommends sound fine. Have not tried them. Have not had a lot of luck with California Merlots in toto, although some interesting ones seem to be coming out of the '01 vintage. Most of Napa wines I would like to try, e.g. Duckhorn, are well above my paygrade.

You may have a perfectly valid reason for looking for Napa Merlots. Hope you find what you are looking for. In the meantime pop over to The Clown in Portland, and pick up a bottle of 2000 Chateau Peyraud, Premier Cotes de Blaye for $8.99. It is 90% Merlot with a splash of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, and a very lovely wine. As a matter of fact we are having another one with grilled fillet steaks tonight.

[winoweenie]

In the medium P/Q catagory I really think the Swanson and for a little more the Pride are superior. I used to buy the 3 Palms from Dan Duckhorn until it was priced with the top Pomerols. Some lovely merlots coming out of Washington. Check the Merlot thread for the last 100 days postings.WW

[KateMaine]

Thanks for your input. It seems I very often turn to you all, when I'm given an assignment for my brown bag, and you always come through. Yup, this time it's Napa Merlots. But I will for sure try the Chateau Peyraud also.

I know this isn't the right place for this but want to say I read here somewhere about Shooting Star Blue Franc Lemberger and went right out to get it. Had to order it as no one had it in store, but I think that some might from now on. I took it to my last brown bag....which we also were blindfolded for, well, half of us at a time, boy was that fun and everyone loved it.

Thanks...Kate