Rob's "Wine of the Week" Archives
So here is my wine review for the week of May 9th, 2005...
Joseph Phelps Merlot 2002
Description: The 2002 vintage of Napa Reds is just being released and shows some surprisingly positive results. Many major wineries including Pride, Phelps and Duckhorn are receiving rave reviews. Phelps' has been a real star of the last 10 years in Napa, particularly with their reds.
How to Get it: I got this bottle from the winery in Napa. Some wine specialty stores and on-line sites will carry it as well.
How Much: At the winery, I paid $40 per bottle. It is generally a $40 bottle in stores, $75 -100 in restaurants, although finding this bottle on a wine list is rare.
My Thoughts: What a great bottle of merlot. Merlot has been raised on a pedestal in the past 10 years, unnecessarily in my opinion, as the red wine boom decended upon America. For the most part, most merlots are lame and not worth your time. Drink a cabernet, for Christ's sake. The key to a great merlot is having the boldness and body of a cabernet, but the ability to provide more fruit and less bite, creating a truly unique red wine. This Merlot is ripe with dark berry flavors, cocoa and a hearty body. It's a great, smooth big merlot that is truly excellent. For those that think cabernet has too much of a "brandy" bite, this is a great red wine.
Overall Score: For $40, this is one of the best merlots you'll taste. It's easy to drink and very complex. On my 5 vine scale, I give this wine 4 ½ vines. I'm off to order a case right now.
Joseph Phelps Merlot 2002 = 
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