Two Buck Chuck ain’t got nuthin’ on Blossom Hill, except a couple measly dollars. The 2003 Merlot by Blossom Hill (a subsidiary of Almaden, in case you were wondering) is most likely one of the best five dollar Merlots in California. We happened across this humble bottle when we were staying at June Lake Village near Yosemite. We tried it alongside an eighteen dollar Sangiovese (yes, I know it’s a bogus comparison) and guess what, the Blossom Hill was better! Once again, price isn’t everything when it comes to wine.
The 2003 Blossom Hill Merlot is a medium transparent ruby in the glass with very little sign of aging and modest extraction. The nose is bright with the typical red currants, strawberries, and cherries of this varietal. In the mouth the wine is light with very little tannin or alcohol. The usual varietal tastes are here along with modest oak and a hint of barbecued pork (?) which adds just a bit of nuance to the fairly short but pleasant finish. A very drinkable wine with enough substance to make it shine in the company of more expensive wines. Better than Charles Shaw and much better than that rotgut Yellow Tail sewer water I tried a few months ago.
Cheers!
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