Three Heart Warming Merlots: Waterbrook, Bolen, and Robert Foley

We got pounded with snow here in Massachusetts last week.  As much as it sucks battling through a cold winter there's a certain amount of pleasure to be drawn from being snowed in with no place to go and nothing to do other than crack open a bottle of heart warming red wine.
A trio of Merlots found their way into the rotation during the week.  They say if a winery is still making Merlot at this point they're probably making good Merlot.  I don't know if that's necessarily true, but I find Merlot to be a value play compared to Cabernet Sauvignon from domestic producers frequently, and for immediate consumption Merlot can often run circles around Cabernet.  It's kind of like Barbaresco to Barolo - if you're buying it for tonight Merlot and Barbaresco show a lot better than their rough and tumble counterparts.

Here are my thoughts on Merlots for your shopping consideration...

2007 Waterbrook Reserve Merlot
Release Price: $22
14.5% Alcohol
3,030 Cases Produced

Aromatically vibrant immediately upon opening with welcoming aromas of caramel on top of warm black cherry preserves. But there's a hole in this wine's soul - at least in this bottle.  The initial attack on the palate is straight fruit, but things fall off right after that and never quite rise to the level the of the aromas.  It's a bit of a let down because the nose on this wine is amazing.

88/100 WWP: Very Good
Purchased at: VinoDivino

2007 Bolen Family Estates Merlot
Release Price: $60
15.2% Alcohol
250 Cases Produced

Visually this wine is less opaque than you'd expect given its bold flavors. On the nose I get rich red and black fruit, mocha, and cinnamon. Floods the palate with a satisfying rich presence. Velvety mouth feel. Long finish. 15.2% alc and it shows at points. Overall - outstanding. Sample for review.

92/100 WWP: Outstanding
Sample for review.

2005 Robert Foley Merlot
Release Price: $50
14.6% Alcohol
1,000 Cases Produced

Dark fruit on the nose.  Milk chocolate on the palate.  Superb velvety mouth feel.  Everything is well-integrated at this point.  Nicely balanced.

91/100 WWP: Outstanding
Purchased at: The Wine Cellar of Stoneham

Question of the Day: What are some of your favorite domestic Merlots?

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Value Alert: 2007 Waterbrook Reserve Merlot

Washington wines have a good reputation in my book, but my experience is admittedly limited.  From a quality-price-ratio perspective, Washington crushes Napa.  However, the selection available here in Massachusetts is sparse.

The 2007 Waterbrook Reserve Merlot is one I've had my eye out for since Wine Spectator gave it a Smart Buy designation and a 92 point rating.  They said:

Ripe, pure, focused and beguiling for its balance, offering blueberry, raspberry and plum fruit at the core, layered with hints of red pepper, clove and peach fuzz as the finish extends extraordinarily well. Drink now through 2017. 3,030 cases made. –HS

With a release price of $22, it's an attractive QPR wine on paper.  I picked up a single bottle of this at VinoDivino over the weekend.  Here are my notes: 

2007 Waterbrook Reserve Merlot
14.5% Alcohol
3,031 Cases produced
$22 Release price

Aromatically vibrant immediately upon opening.  22 months of aging in 32% new oak imparts caramel aromas on top of warm black cherry preserves.  The initial attack on the palate is straight fruit, but spice quickly dominates.  Keep it in your mouth a while and nice acidity is revealed.  Medium length of finish.  Nice stuff.  Pair it with beef stew on a chilly autumn evening.

90/100 WWP: Outstanding

Where to Buy in Massachusetts:

• VinoDivino
• Table & Vine
• Wine Nation

Want to go in on a case or two of this wine?  Drop me an E-mail and let me know how many bottles you'd be interested in: wellesleywinepress@gmail.com

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Tasting Report: 2007 Robert Foley Merlot

When I tasted through wines from Robert Foley Vineyards at a dinner at BOKX109 in Newton last year, my favorite was the Merlot.  The 2006 Claret (a wine made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) was a little tight at the time and for immediate consumption I thought the Merlot was drinking much more enjoyably- and cost half as much.

With the highly-anticipated 2007 Napa Cabs and Merlots coming to market I was looking forward to trying the new releases from Foley.  I was surprised to see the alcohol content on the Merlot: 16.2%!

I doubt I'd have guessed the alcohol was so high if I hadn't seen it on the label.  I'd consider 14% about average for Napa Cab and Merlot, and 15% the high water mark.  I've seen 16% Shiraz and Zinfandel, but never a Merlot this high.

Those I shared it with really liked it.  One said: This might be the best wine I've ever had.  What can I say?  America (or at least some part of it) loves the high alcohol wines.

Wine Spectator rated this wine 91 points.  Robert Parker rated it 95 points.

My Notes:

2007 Robert Foley Vineyards Merlot
$52 Release Price
16.2% Alcohol

Remarkably bold and flavorful.  No way I'd identify this as a Merlot blind.  Shiraz maybe.  Napa Cab probably.  Very big and serious with tons of delicious fruit and a bit of anise.  The alcohol was occasionally slightly-searing, but overall the stunningly-high 16.2% alcohol is well concealed.  Don't operate a motor vehicle after tasting this one, but quite nice and heartwarming in moderation.

92 WWP/Outstanding

Purchased at the Hingham Wine Merchant
Shop for this wine on Wine-Searcher.com
Opinions are favorable on CellarTracker with median of 93 from 15 reviews.

Question of the Day: What do you think of the wines from Robert Foley Vineyards?

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