Alright …. so I’m on to Blatz Liquor suggestion number 2 …. LaPlaya Block Selection 2006 Merlot; A Colchagua Valley wine from Chile! I have to say … I’m starting to really like wines from chile — and a visit to LaPlaya’s site introduced me to why it was considered “The Next Napa” by Wine Enthusiast.
One of the great appreciations of wine is length of time it takes to make a great bottle of wine — I’m talking about the aging process. Consider this … on the 2007 wine … the vines are 17 years old. SEVENTEEN years these vines have been producing. Then these wines are hand picked and aged in oak barrels for approximately 12 months … then it’s aged in bottles for 6 months. Not bad for the price.
LaPlaya wineries also have a 4-star hotel…. you can stay right in the vineyards that produce this fabulous wine. I think this would be an experience for any wine lover!
I know your thinking right about now …. but what about the taste? Are you? Let me tell you about the taste – I’m not a big Merlot drinker – but if more wines were like this – I would consider it. This is (to me) a heavier wine. … dare I say “thicker”? I really taste the oak in this one and the black berries. The site talks about rich black stone fruit. I don’t know what a “rich black stone fruit” is … nor what it taste like — so… I’ll leave that to those with a trained palate. For me… it’s a great rich deep full wine that I really enjoyed. If I should have the opportunity to visit “the next napa” of Chile… I know I would really enjoy it!
Cheers to the next napa!
Jennifer
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
a lot of people got tired of merlot because of california, over oaked wines with very simple one dimensional flavors.
but i’ve recently become a fan of old style merlots that are blended with a little cabernet sauvignon or cabernet franc that have these deep berry flavors and chocolate, sometimes you can even pull out a strawberry or two.
i’ve had examples from washington, central coast, and of course france. i haven’t had too many chilean merlots, you make me want to go out and find this wine.
Thanks for stopping by Sam! I’m really digging wines from Chile! do you have a favorite merlot for me to try? Please share it!