You had me at Merlot!

The other night I had the opportunity to try Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot, Vintage 2008.  Actually it was a left over bottle from my sister's wedding reception.  This weekend I went to visit my parents in Bellingham Wa, and noticed that there was an open bottle of Merlot on the counter (I won't even begin to describe what my parents were using it for).  Be it far from me to pass up a tasting opportunity, as I know no food or drink prejudice and have the least experience with Merlots.  However, I did have some reservations as in the past I tended to associate a rather distasteful wine experience with Merlot.  I must say, I was surprised at what this inexpensive bottle of wine had to offer.  A bright bouquet with nice and easy tannins of light pepper, berries, and a perfect jammy sweetness.  This was certainly a wine with more body and viscosity, but certainly in a good way.  I am finding that I am more partial to a full bodied and rich red wine rather than something lighter like a Pinot Noir that is more delicate.
After tasting this wine, I decided to swing by Trade Joe's last night after work and grab a bottle for the week.  Total cost: $6.99.  Not too shabby if you are just getting into wine tasting and drinking with your meals, or for your heart health (Wink!).

In my humble opinion, it went very well with the dinner I made last night, which consisted of grilled steak studded with garlic cloves and seasoned with Hawaiian Black Lava sea salt and pepper, pasta and veggies in a pumpkin cream sauce, and side salad with an onion vinaigrette (All of which was made by hand, except the onion vinaigrette).  I really need to post that pumpkin cream sauce recipe.  It was fantastic and would slay a plate of cheese tortellini!

Merlot can sometimes run into the problem of being compared to the big bull in the pen, Cabernet Sauvignon, which then leads to looking at Merlot as something less worthy of our dinning tables and attention.  I can honestly say that after tasting this inexpensive wine, I am excited to try some Merlots of more notable reference and distinction.  As my taste for wine and experience with it grows, hopefully I will be able to better descibe and convey these tastes and characteristics of a good or poor spirit.

Thanks, for reading and wishing you best eating,
Bon Appétit