Skip to main content

6 replies

2006 Switchback Ridge Merlot

P parcivalMember
COLOR: dark ruby but thins out to a very pale pink, almost white at the edges

TASTE: shockingly acidic (and not in a good way). I thought my taste buds must be off, so I got out a litmus strip and tested . . . PH = 3 ! I'm used to that in a white but was surprised to find this in a red of "reasonable age."

Medium body. Dark red berries; minor chocolate notes and I think I'm stretching my notes with that comment but there's something subtle in the background. Very slight oak so guessing this was aged in previously used oak (American?) barrels. Surprisingly tannic in an unpleasant way. High alcohol taste with minimal finish other than the lingering tannins.

Rating in the mid 80s . . . I have a few bottles left that I think I will be gifting to friends! This was a bit of a bummer. Switchback has some good value Cabs which I enjoy, but I'm not going to be purchasing any more of their Merlot (a grape I typically enjoy)
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

S shanetMember
quote:
Originally posted by Parcival:
...Merlot (a grape I typically enjoy)


You & me both, Parcival. Many people I've talked to automatically launch the cliche "Sideways response" with domestic merlot. I don't subscribe to that theory. Now, I will admit that there is plenty of junk to contend with, like any other varietal. Some favorites:

- Kapcsandy "Roberta's Reserve" (IMO, there is nothing domestically that even comes close...)

- Paloma Merlot

- Matanzas Creek Winery (specifically from the early 90's. The '92 crushes it.)

- Pahlmeyer (A big boy, but extremely well-made)

* After a recent offline, I'm keeping my eyes open for mid-90's Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Merlot. Incredible wine.
G g-manMember
quote:
Originally posted by Shane T.:
quote:
Originally posted by Parcival:
...Merlot (a grape I typically enjoy)


You & me both, Parcival. Many people I've talked to automatically launch the cliche "Sideways response" with domestic merlot. I don't subscribe to that theory. Now, I will admit that there is plenty of junk to contend with, like any other varietal. Some favorites:

- Kapcsandy "Roberta's Reserve" (IMO, there is nothing domestically that even comes close...)

- Paloma Merlot

- Matanzas Creek Winery (specifically from the early 90's. The '92 crushes it.)

- Pahlmeyer (A big boy, but extremely well-made)

* After a recent offline, I'm keeping my eyes open for mid-90's Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Merlot. Incredible wine.


try duckhorns from the 80s
G g-manMember
quote:
Originally posted by Parcival:
Gentlemen . . . all good recs.

Love Palmoma, Kapcsandy, and Duckhorn.

Also a big fan of L'ecole #41 Merlot. Relatively inexpensive but consistently high quality (low 90s ratings in my opinion) juice


wanna know a cheapie that's good?

clos du val

15$ it's more restrained then the names you mentioned, but there's a fantastic elegance once you try one with 10-15 yrs on it.

Add Reply

Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×