recent pick ups

duckhorn vineyards merlot, napa valley (2005).  this was on the recommendation of the kid that was helping me at goody goody.  i went in looking for a relatively nice (up to $50) napa cabernet that i could drink now.  i gave some serious thought to an unfiltered cabernet by newton and the entry-level cabernet from chateau montelena, both of which i've wanted to try for a long time, but they were both 2005's and i was worried that they would need to a few years before they really opened up.  i ended up letting the salesman talk me into a merlot, which he likes more than cabernet, "like 2% milk versus whole milk."  

"right, whole milk is better."  "well then maybe you should go with the cabernet."  but i was just joking with him, and i ended up letting him talk me into the duckhorn, which was his favorite bottle for less than $50.  i drank it last night, and it was certainly a nice wine, but for the price i'm not sure i liked it as much as i wanted to.  decent, and i'd recommend it to a merlot fan, but i found it to be a little too delicate.

toad hollow "erik's the red," paso robles.  this is a blend, although i don't know what the hell is in it.  i've generally enjoyed toad hollow wines, especially the unoaked chardonnay, but i haven't tried this yet.  

artessa merlot, sonoma/napa (2004).  this one's new to me as well.  i'm generally a huge fan of artessa's wines, and i'm sure this will be good.  i hope it's a bit more silky and substantial than the duckhorn.  also, i'm trying make myself like merlot.  i just haven't found the right one yet.

ridge "essence," sonoma (2001).  this is a "late harvest" zinfandel from my all-time favorite winery.  it should drink a bit like a desert wine, although it shouldn't have the heat and the raisininess that make port so undrinkable.   i'm expecting pretty concentrated berry flavors, and i'll probably pair it with a moist cake or a strong cheese, like a salty bleu.