9/20/2002 HOPE ESTATE MERLOT 2000- DELICIOUS!
A week back at most we had good things to say of Michael Hope's 2001 Chardonnay. it was good, but his Merlot is even more impressive. The bottle notes that 2000 was "an exceptional year for Merlot" and that seems true: this Australian red is rich with vanilla, fruit, and, intriguingly, must. It went marvelously with pasta and an uppity tomato sauce spiced red pepper. And for about $10 a bottle it is a steal (Rating ****). BEST BUY. For more information on Hope Estate wines, surf to HopeEstate.com.au
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9/18/2002 JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2001 & INDABA MERLOT 2001
Georges Duboeuf gets all sorts of attention but that doesn't mean he is the only Beaujolais act in town. Louis Jadot has been banging out fine Beaujolais for years. The 2001 Beaujolais Villages is another solid one: fruit, blackberry, chocolate...It's a bit meatier than your typical Beaujolais (which is good!) but still can be knocked back with care-free abandon (Rating ***1/2). Meanwhile, South Africa's starting to get alot of notice from oenophiles. In part, it is because one can get super bargains like this Indaba Merlot. It runs $8 a bottle and is yummy- raspberry, black pepper, must, and violets all make an appearance (Rating ***3/4). BEST BUY.

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