Merlot: The Velvet Charmer of the Wine World — Event is SOLD OUT

This event is sold out.   Plan now to join us for future events – Alsace Wines with David Killian in March, Honig Wines from Napa CA with Michael Honig in April and Pinot Noir with Kevin Ostrowski in May!

Merlot is one of the most expressive and site sensitive grape varieties and how it can translate soil, climate and winemaking tradition into dramatically different styles.

Therefore, I selected wines for you to taste from the best New and Old-World Merlot regions and hopefully you can pick-up the nuisances of the terroir in these wines.

The following is a listing of the wines we will be tasting:

Montes Alpha Merlot 2020 from the Colchagua Valley in Chile.  This wine was rated 92 points by James Suckling.

Oyster Bay Merlot 2023 from Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. This 2023 vintage was awarded 90 points by James Suckling and Decanter World Wine Awards in the UK and named a Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast in 2025.

Abeja Merlot 2020, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State.  This wine is 99% Merlot with 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and has received numerous ratings ranging from 91 to 94 points.  Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93 points and named it an “Editors’ Choice”.

Whitehall Lane Merlot 2021, Napa Valley, California.  The 2021 vintage is a blend of 82% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc and has been rated 92 points by Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast.

Trefethen Merlot 2021 from Napa Valley, California.  It was rated 92 points by James Suckling and 94 points by Decanter.

 Saintayme Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2022.  This wine is from the Saint Emilion AOC in the Bordeaux region of France.  This wine was awarded 94 points by James Suckling, 91 points by Wine Spectator and 90 points by Wine Advocate.

 Chateau Gazin Pomerol 2021.  This wine is 100% Merlot and received 93 points from James Suckling, 95 from Vinous and 92 from Decanter.

Pomerol is a small but prestigious wine-growing region in Bordeaux, France, known primarily for its red wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  It is recognized for its exceptional terror and produces some of the most sought-after wines in the world.

Bell ‘Aja Bolgheri Superiore 2021 from Bolgheri DOC, Tuscany, Italy.  This wine is almost entirely Merlot.  This vintage was given 95 points by Wine Spectator and 93  by James Suckling.

Tolaini Picconero Tenuta Montebello 2019 from Tuscany, Italy.  This wine is 100% Merlot and is our highest rated wine of the evening.  It received 96 points from James Suckling, 95 from Robert Parker and Wine Advocate, and 92 points from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.

The wines will be accompanied by three small plates.  Below is the menu for the small plates.  If you have food allergies please email the Treasurer.

Course 1 – Toasted Sourdough, Seared Duck Breast, Cherry Jam, Black Pepper Ricotta

Course 2 – Braised Short Ribs, Potato Gnocchi, Pine Nut Gremolata

Course 3 – Dark Chocolate Entremet, Roasted Fig, Honey, Marcona Almond

Reservation deadline is Tuesday, February 17^th.   However—THE BEST TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE MERLOT EVENT IS RIGHT NOW!!  To make reservations, go to the Shoppe Page of this website.

      Members—$135

      Patrons—$130

      Nonmembers—$155