Vintage charts

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Merlots to Look For

COLUMBIA CREST Merlot Columbia Valley Two Vines 2002 (88 points, $8)
Wine Spectator Wine of the Week (3/28/06): A drink-me-now wine, lithe, supple and distinctive for its blueberry and roasted red pepper flavors, finishing with silky texture that supports the flavors beautifully. Drink now. 235,000 cases made. From Washington.

Australian Cab-Shiraz (MY Times, 3/22/06)

Tasting Report: Fruity Combinations That Please the Masses

Yalumba Signature Barossa 1999
$45
***
Thick, tannic and complex, with lots of juicy fruit, good structure and lingering flavors. (Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, Calif.)

BEST VALUE
Oxford Landing Eden Valley 2003
$7
**½
A bright, enjoyable crowd pleaser; smells like cabernet, tastes like shiraz. (Negociants USA, Napa, Calif.)

Stonehaven South Eastern Australia 2003
$9
**
Restrained and pleasing, with good fruit and backbone. (Banfi Vintners, Old Brookville, N.Y.)

Salomon Estate Norwood 2002
$12
**
Fresh, fruity and juicy, with a silky texture. (Testa Wines of the World, Port Washington, N.Y.)

Coriole Vineyards Redstone McLaren Vale 2001
$9
**
Dense fruit, with mint, herbal and oak flavors; put together well. (Robert Whale Selections, Washington, D.C.)

J. J. Hahn Reginald Barossa Valley 2002
$33
**
Lots of bright fruit with equally pronounced flavors of oak; tastes expensive. (Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, Pa.)

Penfolds Bin 389 South Australia 2001
$22
**
Tannic, with flavors of raspberries, flowers and anise. (PWG Vintners USA, Napa, Calif.)

Barwick Blackwood Valley 2000
$9
*½
Somewhat simple, with flavors of sour cherry and eucalyptus. (Great Sunsan Wine Imports, New York)

Rosemount Estate Mountain Blue Mudgee 1999
$50
*½
Both a fruit bomb and an oak bomb. (Rosemount Estates, Sonoma, Calif.)

Leasingham Magnus Clare Valley 2002
$16
*½
Big, thick and fruity with noticeable tannins and acidity. (International Cellars, Gonzales, Calif.)

WSJ-Recommended Merlots (3/10/06

The Dow Jones Inexpensive Merlot Index

In a tasting of 50 American Merlots that cost less than $20, these were our favorites. These are generally better closer to cellar temperature -- 55 degrees -- than room temperature. Most of the Merlots we tasted are ready to drink now, though some, such as the Coppola, will improve with a little age.

VINEYARD/VINTAGE	PRICE	RATING	TASTERS' COMMENTS
Francis Coppola 'Diamond Collection' Blue Label (California) 2003	$13.99	Very Good/Delicious	Best of tasting. Fine wine, rich and structured. Terrific fruit, with balanced tastes and some heft. Would go well with a good steak.
Hogue Cellars (Columbia Valley) 2003	$9.49	Good/Very Good	Best value. Rich, earthy nose and a great, dark color. Slightly chewy -- not at all weak -- with real earth and even a hint of chocolate. Honest red wine.
Turning Leaf Vineyards 'Coastal Reserve' 2002 (North Coast)	$10.50	*Very Good	Truly earthy and utterly easy to drink, with soft, blackberry fruit. No structure, no edges, just lovely, drink-me fruit.
Cartlidge & Browne (California) 2003	$9.99	*Good/Very Good	Another winner from a reliable name. It smells like wine and tastes like wine -- and too many Merlots don't. A happy wine you could almost gulp. Drink now.
Firestone Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley) 2002	$14.99	Good/Very Good	Unusual and interesting, with a rock-hard, very dry center and the kind of tight fruit that would make it good with food like meatloaf.
Frei Brothers Winery (Dry Creek Valley) 2003	$17.99	*Good/Very Good	Dark, rich color and a nice, grapey nose. A core of black, grapey fruit, with some pepper, spice and herbs. Soft and pleasant, but with some stuff.
Martin Ray Winery 'Angeline' (Sonoma County) 2002	$10.99	Good/Very Good	Rounder and fuller than most, with an interesting, complex texture. Complete and integrated.