Jane's Weekly Wines 
from the Atlanta Wine School

PRINT AND GO VERSION
October 5th, 2006
Merlot for Miles
	
************************************************************************************
Dante Robino Marlot 2003
Mendoza, Argentina

Medium-bodied dry red wine; bright purple red. Somewhat shy aromas suggest red 
raspberries, but the flavors get into the fruit program with vigor. Juicy fruit and 
fairly soft tannins, with just a little tannic bitterness in the finish (stemmy?). 
Fairly long, silky finish. Winery dates to the 1920s, and is typical of the Italian 
winemaking heritage in Argentina. Very fine value. 

Grilled sweetbreads, Argentine style; meat-filled empanadas; Cuban sandwiches and 
Mexican tortas; hangar steak with bleu- or Brie cheese drizzle;  roast duck with 
sweet potatoes, braised beef brisket with tomato and aromatic spices; picadillo; 
creamy rich-tasting (but not too ripe) cheeses. Winery suggests meat or cheese fondue. 

Metro Premium Wines
$10
87

*************************************************************************************
Merryhill Merlot 2003
Columbia Valley

Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium deep translucent purple red. Red raspberry aromas 
with some spice, slight hint of toasted notch from cashews being rosated. 
Silky texture, with ripe red raspberry-kissed dark fruit flavors from start 
to finish, with oak getting the upper hand in the close, unfortunately in my view.  
Good acidity. Lingering finish. Round tannins. Excellent value. 

Grilled hanger steak with blue or brie cheese drizzle; roast chicken or duck 
with mashed sweet potatoes; grilled vegetables; Cuban or Mexican sandwich with 
roast pork; meat-filled empanadas; and, surprise, dark chocolate!

Metro Premium Wines
$13
90

*************************************************************************************
Raymond "R Collection" Merlot 2004
California
Full-bodied dry red wine; medium deep inky ruby red. Aromas slightly tobacoo-like, 
with dark berry fruits to follow (boysenberry, blackberry); fleshy rich fresh fruit 
flavors, again boysenberry/blackbery/loganberry. Round tannins, supple texture, 
nice fruit richness. Notes of dark aromatic spices. Cool room temperature, about 
60-65 degrees, in large-bowled glasses. Some American oak almost certainly, 
but probably older barrels. Extraordinary value.

Lots of food pairings: Chili (but not too hot); red beans and rice; lasagna 
or other tomato-sauced pasta; barbecued chicken; grilled meats; roast chicken, 
duck or Cornish game hen (brush this with a dark fruit jam glaze); smoked meats; 
chicken Paprikash; stuffed grilled or baked pork chops; garlic mashed potatoes 
with anything; firm aged cheeses

United Distributors
92
$13

*************************************************************************************
Feudo di Maria Merlot I.G.T. 2004
Sicilia, Italy

Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium-deep red. Aromas not especially forward, but 
fruit flavors suggest red fruits, especially red fruit candies, cranberries and a 
bit of spice. Finish stays a bit hot, but rich foods will knock this off. Remember 
to serve cool, about 60-65 degrees, to temper alcohol. Easy tannins. Easy to like. 
Distinctive. Very fine value.

Creamy pâtés, smoked meats, roast duck with mashed sweet potatoes; grilled lamb or 
beef steak with garlic mashed potatoes; lasagna, grilled sausages with basil and 
Provolone cheese, chicken Paprikash (but not too hot); barbecued chicken; veal or 
turkey meatballs with light tomato sauce and mushrooms, grilled ham steak

Ultimate Distributors
$14
87

*************************************************************************************
Sullivan Estate Merlot 2002
Napa Valley, CA

Big, bold, but elegant, dry red wine; medium deep ruby red. Aromas of red and 
dark fruits, aromatic spices;  Clean, gentle aromas of sweet red and black 
raspberries, with flavors that assemble, and knit together, a variety of 
appropriate notes, including dark fruits to spices. The long finish is rich 
with fruit and tannins, which are firm but not aggressive. Well structured
 and bold, this is nonetheless balanced and graceful, rather like a well-muscled 
 ballet dancer. A keeper if well cellared, probably for another half dozen years. 
 Maybe more. 

Black olives; pâtés and terrines; grilled steak with bleu- or brie-cheese sauces;  
Hawaiian-style barbecued short ribs; smoked meats; roast duck or Cornish hem 
(either one basted with some melted dark fruit jam), prime rib; roast leg or 
rack of lamb;; prime rib; grilled veal chops stuffed with Fontina cheese and 
prosciutto; roast pork loin.


Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC
$45
93

*************************************************************************************
Dry Creek Vineyard Bullock House Merlot 2002
Dry Creek Valley, CA
 
Full-bodied dry red wine; medium-deep purple red. Heavenly aromas of spice 
and dark fruits; with flavors that offer everything from blackberry to roasted 
coffee and spice. Tannins are substantial, lending structure to the ample fruit, 
but without being aggressive. Fruit is luscious, well extracted, but not jammy. 
Quite graceful. Still young, with plenty of power and structure to give it a 
long life if properly cellared. Vines planted 1976. Winery's first single-vineyard 
Merlot. French and American (fooled me!) oak for 21 months.Serve at cool room 
temperature, about 65 degrees, in glasses with generous bowls.
 
Rich foods: roast pork loin, medium, with dark fruit chutney; roasted Cornish 
hen seasoned with a freshly ground spice mix, including allspice, cardamom and 
cumin; other game birds; grilled steak with bleu cheese sauce, grilled or 
roasted rack of lamb; rare to medium rare prime rib; roast medium rare leg 
of lamb, roast duck; dark meat turkey; braised meats;  
 
Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC
$32
94