Wine | Even-Steven: Merlot Cabernet from Medoc
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Finding good values in Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon blends continues to be a wine buying challenge, especially if you are looking at all the options available from Bordeaux, France. As a quick selection, let’s check out the Medoc part of Bordeaux. It’s always a good value, but with somewhat varied results. Choose carefully.
Why consider this type of wine? If you really like Cabernets that have been softened and made more elegant by blending in Merlot, this is what Bordeaux is all about. It’s a practice that is especially true in the “Haut-Medoc” sub-appellation, where they blend Cab and Merlot just about 50-50, even-steven.
One good way to get started with this evenly blended type of wine is to explore Total Wine’s “Winery Direct” selections from Bordeaux’s Haut-Medoc. One of the more consistent picks is from Chateau Maurac and comes from vines that are about 30 years old. This provides a vintage-to-vintage stability as well as a mature structure.
If you can find one of these for about $25, it’s a good deal!
Tasting this wine will reveal all the character of an “Old World Vin”. The bouquet has blackberry, toast, tobacco, and leather. In the mouth, there is a firmly structured blend of currant, dark spices, with grippy soft tannins and noticeable acidity.
Food pairing with roast chicken (rotisserie is wonderful) or lighter beef selections like London Broil works well. Please note that serving with food is what this type of wine is all about. It is expressly created as a condiment.
Serve slightly chilled at “European Room Temperature”, a little less than 60 degrees.
About the Author - Tom Peiffer
Tom has been an avid wine consumer and collector for over 20 years. This pastime has taken he and his family on many visits to wine growing regions, including Arizona. During these excursions, with the accompanying tastings and lectures, it became clear that there is no "magic bullet" wine. For each wine contains its own character, strong points, and weaknesses. Sharing these experiences to help anyone purchase locally available wines is his goal.
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