Wednesday's Wine - Barefoot Merlot

I've been working on this bottle of wine for two weeks. HUH!?! Okay, I couldn't resist getting a 1.5 liter bottle for $9.00. That's like $4.50 for a regular size bottle of wine (which is a great deal when you don't live in Two Buck Chuck California)!!! Anyway, I know I generally avoid Merlot, but once in awhile you happen across a surprise. So let me tell you a story.

It all happened down in Texas. I was spending a few days with my mother after Christmas and she gifted me with making my FAVORITE all time dinner! This happens to be Beef Stroganoff. My mom's version is served over Uncle Ben's Wild Rice instead of noodles or plain rice. She serves it with a romaine salad and crusty bread. And of course, red wine. My mom doesn't drink red wine as often as she used to due to health issues, but for my favorite dinner she had me looking at HEB (a grocery chain in Texas) for a bottle. There it was on the shelf with it's "Double Gold Medal" sticker and a price tag of $6.00. I know my mom likes a lighter red these days, so I thought, "Hey, it's a double gold medal winner, it must be decent anyway." I also remember someone in the blogosphere suggesting that I try it. Well, I loved it! So much so that I sprung for the double gold medal double bottle size when I got home. That's a lot of good wine for one person...

Anyway, Barefoot Merlot starts out on the front of the palate with some nice fruit flavors. Typical to many red wines, it has some berry flavors mixed with some spiciness. On the back of the palate it's smoother than expected, but slightly astringent. And oddly a bit like dessert, but not sugary.

Here's what I found on Barefoot's website:

JENNIFER’S WINEMAKER NOTES:
Medium to full body, balanced tannins.
Red cherry & plum.
Mocha finish complemented by smoky vanilla oak.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES:
84 Points BEST BUY
"A little sharp and raw, but there's so much nice blackberry, cherry and spicy cola fruit, and the wine is so balanced, that at this price, its a bargain."
Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Panel
March 01 2007

"The Merlot is rich in plum, mocha notes, a hint of oak, and nice texture."
Quarterly Review of Wines
Tasting Panel
June 01 2007

4 Stars
"This is a very pretty Merlot! It is loaded with scents and flavors of rose petals, chocolate covered cherries and a sprig of mint. This delicious wine is consistent from the first sniff through to the finish"."
Sign On San Diego.com
Sue Straight
January 01 2007

Jennifer, the winemaker quoted above, also made these food suggestions:

Barefoot Merlot is perfect with beef, poultry, red sauce pastas, cheeses and desserts.

I also had it several times with Green Chile...heh. ENJOY!