Today's featured wine:Domaine Roger Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2004

2005 Dynamite Vineyards Merlot

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2005

Avg. Rating: 85.0/100 (3 Reviews)
Winery: Dynamite
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Merlot
Country: United States
Region: California: North Coast
Retail Price: $ 7.99 USD
Created by: Joe Fumo
Purchase: Buy this wine ›

The first sip recalls a perfectly acceptable Bordeaux – the kind you might buy two years out of college, not first-growth grapes from a 600-year-old appellation that requires a barn to store their awards. I was encouraged to find an expensive-tasting wine for eight bucks. However, subsequent samplings brought me down to earth. A very smooth mouthful of cherries, mind you, but it doesn't transport you to that elusive "next level." There is much to like about this Merlot. It is easy to drink, has no rough edges, and doesn't seem to care if you keep it idle for five minutes. It knows you'll be back soon. The more you return, though, the thinner this wine becomes. This was my experience with two different bottles. I'm not sure I would buy it again – unless I'm sharing it with comrades who will enjoy that initial French buzz with me.

Tasting Notes from Cork’d Members

2005 Dynamite Vineyards Merlot
(12 months ago) buddy icon jasonriedy 89/100
Very smooth. Light and fruity. Gentle mouthfeel, not much residue. I like it... Plus, there's a red-tail on the bottle. And while I'm don't have a fine wine palette, I at least know how to read (or am sober enough to read) the review directions...

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2005 Dynamite Vineyards Merlot
(12 months ago) buddy icon dolemic 81/100
The first thing that turned me off was the nose, which had an unpleasant rubbing alcohol component. The taste was better, but it didn't really work for me. The flavors seemed to clash, and I couldn't really be bothered to discern what they were individually. The Dynamite Cab Sav, as I recall, is much better.

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2005 Dynamite Vineyards Merlot
(6 months ago) buddy icon 9524tee 87/100
Solid wine for the money. It lacks some ripe fruits that I could have appreciated. The balance is fair and the dryness mixed with the small amount of tannin works out nicely for cheap steak or basic burger dishes. This is a great example of nice table wine to have around, under 10 bucks.

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