October Wine Club - Merlot

At this month’s Wine Club we took a look at three different Merlots. Here are the LCBO details -

CHÂTEAU PIPEAU 2006

VINTAGES 564179
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 29.00
Wine, Red Wine
13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Bordeaux, France
By: Mestreguilhem, Prop.-Récolt.
Release Date: May 15, 2010

Tasting Note - Shows black licorice, black pepper and berries on the nose. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and ripe, chewy tannins, but in balance. This has very stylish flavors. Should be nice to drink soon. Always excellent value. Best after 2012. Score - 90. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, March 31, 2009)


CHÂTEAU LANBERSAC 2005


VINTAGES 177006
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 19.95
Wine, Red Wine
13.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Bordeaux, France
By: Françoise and Philippe Lannoye
Release Date: Jun 26, 2010

Tasting Note - Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, one of the tiny satellites to the northeast of Saint-Émilion, is hilly terrain, with the highest elevation in the region. As in the larger appellation, Merlot is the principal grape used here due to the clay and limestone soil. This well-made red from the outstanding 2005 vintage is medium bodied and nicely balanced; notes of smoke and tar accent a solid core of berry fruit. It's a bargain at this price. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2009)


JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS' GRAND RESERVE MERLOT 2007

VINTAGES 563197
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 19.95
Wine, Red Wine
14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
This is a VQA wine
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Vincor International Inc.
Release Date: May 15, 2010

Tasting Note - Deep ruby coloured, impressively scented Merlot from the excellent 2007 vintage. Aromas of sour cherry, vanilla, raspberry, coffee bean are all on display here. Dry with a nice core of fruit surrounded by moderate tannins and pleasing acidity. Medium-full bodied with a lingering, refined finish. Age it 2-3 years, or try it tongiht with a grilled porterhouse steak or calf's liver with bacon and onions. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)

I was looking forward to trying the ‘take home’ wine which was the Chateau Pipeau, a French Merlot rated a 90 by the Wine Spectator. I picked the Chateau Lanbersac as the comparison bottle as it was from the same region as the Chateau Pipeau. The Jackson-Triggs Merlot was something recommended by my LCBO rep. I’m not usually a huge fan of VQA red wine as I find it usually tends to be under ripe/green as the climate doesn’t usually have enough length to ripen most red grapes. It was $20 and split 11 ways, I thought why not give it a go.

The first wine I tried was the Jackson-Triggs and I really liked it. The tannin in it was very soft and approachable, there was good fruit on the tongue, not much acidity and gentle finish. It wasn’t very complex but it was very easy drinking.

The second wine I tried was the Chateau Pipeau and oh my was it dry, bone dry, with harsh tannin and not much fruit though the acidity was crisp. I was a touch disappointed with it at this point but figured it might improve with the food.

The last wine was the Chateau Lanbersac, it was right in between the two others; tannic but less so than the Chateau Pipeau, some fruit and acidity.

So far my favourite was the Jackson-Triggs, score one for the VQA, then the Chateau Lanbersac and then in dead last the Chateau Pipeau.

Sean, one of the Wine Club members, made beef sliders in mini-pitas which were very good. Trying all the wines again with the food, my order changed, the Chateau Lanbersac took first as the food soften the tannins and brought out more fruit in the wine. The Jackson-Triggs was OK with the food but at times got lost against the flavours. The Chateau Pipeau remained in last place but was better with the food then on its own.

I wondered if maybe the food pairing wasn’t quite right with the Chateau Pipeau and opened another bottle of it on Friday when I made Lemon Cream Pasta with Prosciutto. It was much better with the pasta but still seemed a bit young and I will be laying down my last two bottles of it for a few years at least.

So to sum up - If you are looking for a nice easy drinking Merlot, I’d recommend the Jackson-Triggs. If you are looking for a food friendly Merlot, then I would recommend Chateau Lanbersac. If you are looking for a Merlot for your wine cellar that will pay dividends down the road, I would go with the Chateau Pipeau as this wine has the structure to last and will be quite nice once it ages which will cause the tannin in it to soften.

Cheers!

Mark