Comments on: 2007 Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell’s Meritage

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:18:56 +0000

We drank 5 bottles of this in the week we just spent in California. I absolutely loved it, though it does seem to taste better with a meal than on it’s own. Hoping to find it at the Trader Joes in our area.

By: joshiemac

joshiemac — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:20:51 +0000

Peter B-Finally had a chance to try the ‘06 Nerelo del bastardo. Smokey & earthy on the nose like a sangiovese. Palate showing a strong rush of red fruit backed by a burst of acidity like a barbera or valpolicella. Not much of a finish. It had flashes of decency but It never came together that well. Fell apart on the second night. Not the worst bottle of wine but I doubt I’ll buy another.

By: jason

jason — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:13:55 +0000

Eric, Interesting that one is more expensive the other less. Maybe the Drinkwell isn’t moving so “well”

By: EricR

EricR — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:13:35 +0000

Bought a bottle of the Doctor this week at a Seattle area TJ for $6.99. Oddly, the Wine Party was always $5.99 up here.

So, for just a $1 swing I’m glad it’s back in stock!

By: PeterB

PeterB — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:45:26 +0000

Thanks Joshiemac, we haven’t see it here yet but I am waiting to see if it is as good as some of the earlier vintages.

By: joshiemac

joshiemac — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:16:55 +0000

Peter-I live in Northern California. I’ve seen the ‘06 Nerello at several TJs location in the East Bay area of late. Still haven’t purchased another bottle.

By: PeterB

PeterB — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:44:27 +0000

I wasn’t a big fan of this one. I thought it tasted over-cropped and disjointed, but I haven’t had it with food yet so I probably should give it another chance.

Joshiemac… You have the ‘06 Nerello del Bastardo??? What state are you in? (and what the heck happened to the ‘03, ‘04 and ‘05 vintages I wonder). The ‘02 was dreadful, whereas the ‘99, ‘00 and ’01s were great.

By: Angela Carlson

Angela Carlson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:52:50 +0000

Yeah, I’m finding the Cab Francs we have in the store right now are SOOO much better when paired with food. It helps to smooth out any rough edges and tone down the green pepper notes of which I’m not really a fan. The Crew kinda liked this one when we tasted it a few months ago, but yes there’s a lot of other options in this price range.

By: joshiemac

joshiemac — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:03:29 +0000

You could be right on the conspiracy theory. After all, the election/political party concept is very dated to 2008. Knowing them and how they market their wines, it wouldn’t surprise me if they totally changed the label for what is effectively a different vintage of the same wine. Have they done multiple vintages of other wines like Pancake? Or do they mix it up every year?

I’m happy I still have a few bottles of the Franc/Merlot in my cellar. They will pair well with the stews and braises I’m making now that the weather has changed.

I was ready to try the 2006 Nerello del Bastardo from TJs ($7) last night but I had a major accident involving hard-to-open childproof drawers, a travertine floor, and said bottle of wine. Moral of the story: do not hold a bottle of wine while trying to open my childproof drawers. Now I need to get another bottle because I liked previous vintages.

By: jason

jason — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:21:34 +0000

@joshiemac That is fair. Lot’s of good wines out there in that range. I only bought one more bottle which I have yet to drink. Perhaps my opinion will change. BTW, no thoughts on the conspiracy theory… When is the next vintage of the Franc Merlot going to appear…