Who Makes The Best $15-$25 and $25-$40 CA Merlot?

WINE TALK
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From Who Makes The Best Merlot In California? - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers

Since Jim is so very interested in this category neener I started a new thread for him. And since I like the idea of high quality CA merlot that won’t break the bank, I’m genuinely curious.

So does anyone have any good recs?

Fyi, WA merlot doesn’t count :wink:

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Ridge

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My answer in the $25-40 category is actually the same as for the overall: Korbin Kameron and Calluna.

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Thx guys.

Unfortunately, I never see Ridge Merlot on the shelves anywhere. I’ll have to investigate the Korbin Kameron and Calluna.

My go-to used to be Havens. You also used to find Paradigm for under $40, that seems to be no longer, same with Ehlers Estate.

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Ridge, Keenan and Rafanelli are our favorites in the $25-40 range. Markham Merlot is usually a crowd-pleaser in the $15-$25 range.

Thanks,
Ed

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$15-$25 range: Pedroncelli? Their wines are pretty classically-styled and always deliver for the $$.

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Good call on Keenan, very nice stuff, just wish I had the patience to age them as they always seem so wound up. Would love to try a Rafanelli Merlot, I didn;t even know they made one.

Kyle, I’ll keep an eye out for Pedroncelli, thx. I’ve always thought of their Zins as being one of the more unheralded QPR selections available.

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I’ll second Calluna.

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We recently had a 2012 Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Merlot Alexander Valley. Really pretty wine for under $20. Probable not complex enough to interest hard core enthusiasts.

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This is a slightly different take on a response, but if you look in auctions like Winebid, good quality (but not collector’s item type) California merlot from back vintages is often a steal. You can find mature examples from good vintages for less, or sometimes considerably less, than the retail for new bottles.

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Swanson Vineyards Merlot was always a good value. Looks like it may be slightly over $25 now.

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I’d forgotten about Rafanelli in the other topic. We used to visit there regularly and I recall first trying the Merlot more than 10 years ago. Apparently Shelly, Dave and Patty’s daughter, talked them into letting her make it soon after she began working there regularly. I think she’s nowvthe official winemaker. The Merlot’s killer!!!

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Again a big thumbs up to the original Havens…for me nothing is close

Mike is back as Cave Dog…never tasted the new label but I heard he was able to procure some of his old grape sources.