Full Review

Wines Til’ Friday

Wines Til’ Friday
2019 Merlot, American

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.5% RS: .200%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$8
Best Buy
'2022 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 Red Wine $8 and Under'

Wines Til’ Friday
2019 Merlot, American

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.5% RS: .200%
Dusty ruby color. Aromas and flavors of black currant and blackberry, oak and blueberry muffin, tobacco leaf, and chocolate malt with a round, bright, dryish medium-to-full body and a tingling, amusing, medium-length finish revealing overtones of blackberry pie, chocolate malt, and new leather with silky tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. Dialed in, rich, and fruit forward, this will be a party pleaser at your next event.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Juicy & Smooth
Aroma Aroma: black currant and blackberry, oak and blueberry muffin, tobacco leaf, and chocolate malt
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with overtones of blackberry pie, chocolate malt, and new leather
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Dialed in, rich, and fruit forward, this will be a party pleaser at your next event.

The Producer

Precept Wine

The Producer
1910 Fairview Ave East, Ste 400
Seattle, WA 98102
USA
1 206-267-5252

Their Portfolio

BR Bar West Mai Tai Wine Cocktail 16% (USA) $14.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Bell’Amore NV Semi-Sweet Peach Flavored Wine, Italy 5.5% (Italy) $9.00.
88 Bell’Amore NV Midnight Semi-Sweet Red Blend, Italy 5.5% (Italy) $9.00.
92 Bewitched 2020 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 14.2% (USA) $19.00.
87 Browne NV Methode Champenoise Brut Rosé , American 12.5% (USA) $25.00.
85 Browne 2022 Forest Project White Blend, Columbia Valley 12.5% (USA) $20.00.
86 Browne 2022 Forest Project, Pinot Noir, Oregon 12.5% (USA) $19.00.
86 Browne 2022 Forest Project, Chardonnay, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
93 Browne Family Spirits Do Epic Sh*t Vodka 40% (USA) $19.00.
94 Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition, Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills 14.1% (USA) $15.00.
88 Ciao Bella NV Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $14.00.
92 Ciao Bella 2022 Rosé, Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $14.00.
91 Curious Beasts 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.9% (USA) $13.00.
86 Cuvée 89 By Gruet NV Brut Sparkling Wine, American 12% (USA) $16.00.
87 Cuvée 89 By Gruet NV Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, American 12% (USA) $16.00.
89 El Paseo NV Margarita Wine Cocktail, Mexico 13.5% (Mexico) $9.00.
85 El Paseo NV Strawberry Margarita Wine Cocktail, Mexico 13.5% (Mexico) $9.00.
87 El Paseo NV Paloma Wine Cocktail, Mexico 13.5% (Mexico) $9.00.
85 El Paseo NV Red Sangria Wine Cocktail, American 12.5% (USA) $9.00.
87 Ely By Callaway Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Paso Robles 14.2% (USA) $19.00.
88 Ely By Callaway Cellars 2021 Chardonnay, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
87 Florina 2019 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $12.00.
87 Florina 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, California 12% (USA) $12.00.
86 Goodness Grape 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 8.5% (USA) $10.00.
85 Goodness Grape 2020 Rosé, California 8.5% (USA) $10.00.
86 Goodness Grape 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley 8.5% (Chile) $10.00.
87 Goodness Grape 2019 Chardonnay, California 8.5% (USA) $10.00.
87 House Wine NV Rosé Bubbles, American 12% (USA) $19.00.
BR House Wine NV Rainbow Edition Rosé Bubbles, Washington 12% (USA) $4.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Muddle + Spear Lemon Drop Wine Cocktail 16% (USA) $14.00.
BR Muddle + Spear Cosmopolitan Wine Cocktail 16% (USA) $14.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Primarius 2023 Sans Soufre, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.6% (USA) $24.00.
88 Republic Of Wine 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley 13.5% (Chile) $8.00.
BR Republic Of Wine 2021 Pinot Noir, Itata Valley 12.5% (Chile) $9.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Republic Of Wine 2021 Malbec, Mendoza 13.5% (Argentina) $9.00.
86 Republic Of Wine 2020 Red Blend, Colchagua Valley 13% (Chile) $9.00.
90 Ste Chapelle NV Open Air, Chenin Blanc, Idaho 13.5% (USA) $24.00.
88 Ste Chapelle NV Open Air Red Blend, American 13.5% (USA) $30.00.
93 The Conqueror 2019 Red Blend, California 13% (USA) $13.00.
92 The Conqueror 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, California Foothills 13% (USA) $13.00.
86 The Conqueror 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13% (USA) $13.00.
94 Topsail 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 12.5% (New Zealand) $15.00.
87 Topsail 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 12.5% (New Zealand) $15.00.
89 Wines Til’ Friday 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington 13.5% (USA) $8.00.
85 Wines Til’ Friday 2020 Pinot Grigio, American 13% (USA) $8.00.
86 Wines Til’ Friday NV Sparkling Demi-Sec, American 12.5% (USA) $9.00.
88 Wines Til’ friday 2019 Chardonnay, Washington 13% (USA) $8.00.
88 Wines Til’ Friday 2019 Merlot, American 13.5% (USA) $8.00.
85 Wines Til’ friday 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, American 13.2% (USA) $8.00.
86 Wines Til’ friday 2022 Chardonnay, American 13.5% (USA) $8.00.
85 Wines Til’ friday 2022 Pinot Grigio, American 13.2% (USA) $8.00.
85 Wines Til’ friday 2021 Red Blend, American 13.2% (USA) $8.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.

Top Rated for
Merlot

Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
96 POINTS
Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.6% $310.00.
USA
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
15% $75.00.
USA
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
95 POINTS
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
14% $24.00.
USA
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
14.8% $44.00.
USA
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.3% $190.00.
USA
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.5% $55.00.
USA
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
94 POINTS
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
14.5% $42.00.
USA
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.7% $34.00.
USA
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
94 POINTS
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
13.8% $22.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Merlot

Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
14% $18.00.
Australia
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
93 POINTS
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
13.5% $14.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
14% $13.00.
Australia
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
93 POINTS
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
13.5% $16.00.
USA
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
14.5% $10.00.
USA
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
13% $9.00.
USA