Beringer Merlot 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

Not much information to be found on this wine, from the winery web site, must be a recent release. This Merlot opens up with aromas of bing cherry, blackberry, fruit cake, cedar and burnt sugar. On the palate, medium-full bodied with alcohol coming in at 14.4%, ripe black fruit flavours, low acidity and firm tannins. Medium length on the finish with flavours of plums, spices and cedar wrap up by fine grainy tannins.  I remember purchasing half a dozen of Beringer Merlot 2006 from Napa Valley release in November of 2010. Compared to that vintage (2006), this 2009 vintage lacks complexity and structure with no energy on the palate. I expected more for a $30.00 Merlot, it may get better with a few years in bottle, score 87 points.               

Purchased April 28, 2012 LCBO New Release (919647) at $29.95 

Beringer Merlot 2006, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is mainly Merlot but some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were added, I would suspect to add complexity and depth. This wine opens up earthy, with cherries, plums and vanilla. Full bodied with nicely layered structure, concentrated fruit, balance acidity and grainy tannins. Finally this Merlot has a long drying, smoky finish. Solid wine here.

This wine was purchased November 27, 2010 LCBO New Release at $29.95.

Beringer Bancroft Ranch Single Vineyard Merlot 2005, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

First, I must admit (full disclosure here), I really enjoy Merlot. The problem is, it is often difficult to find a great Merlot at our local wine store (LCBO) or wine shows, like The First Families of Wine from Australia event, where not a single Merlot was to be found. With some good fortune, this past December I purhased a Beringer Napa Valley 2006 Merlot, which I really enjoyed, this persuaded me to try there more expensive single vineyard from Howell Mountain.  Great news!  This wine opens up with great and complex aromatics; cherry, black currants, violet, chocolate, cedar, savoury spices and vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich and elegant, with concentrated fruit flavours and toasty oak with great balance between fruit, acidity and tannins. The finish is long, savoury with fine integrated tannins. A fine maturing beauty, great stuff.
This wine was purchased on March 19, 2011 LCBO New Release at $69.95