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"De gustibus non est disputandum." - There is no disputing matters of taste.

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Welcome!  This blog is focused on finding value-priced wines that offer excellent taste and quality.                      Please feel free to add comments about the posts and make suggestions for other excellent wines that can be purchased for under $25.

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Most of the posts will focus on a single wine.  Every couple weeks, I'll try to summarize all of the wines discussed so far for a particular type of wine like Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.  Occasionally, I'll offer a news article or a "How to" article on various topics (tasting wine, collecting wine, storing wine, etc.).  The posts are tagged with keywords that are listed on the right side below.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

2006 Haven's Napa Valley Merlot

Yesterday, I received an email from K&L Wines regarding a special offer.  The offer read in part:

"Deal of the Year: 2006 Havens Merlot Only $6.99 (Was $20)"

As Robert Parker wrote: "Mike Havens, working out of a warehouse in the city of Napa, appears to have settled into an admirable pattern, producing richer and richer Merlots."  The Havens winery recently went out-of-business, and part of their inventory has been purchased by K&L Wines.

I tasted a bottle last night.  I opened it and let it breath for an hour.  IMO it was very good, more of a Bordeaux-style than California-style Merlot.  I think it will age well for the next 5-7 years.

According to Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, the winery, Havens Wine Cellars, gets four stars, and prices per bottle range from $24 to $50.  The description says in part, "Michael and Kathyrn Havens founded this winery in 1984 largely to pursue two areas they loved, Bordeaux and Rhone Valley wines.  The results are consistently well-made wines with a European elegance.  Michael Havens continues to turn out fine Merlots. ...  Prices are among the most realistic in northern California."  Parker rated the 2005 Napa Merlot at 89 points and the 2004 Napa Merlot at 88 points.

K&L provide their own commentary:  "The 2006 Merlot is delicious right now. ...  It shows excellent balance and a lush, lingering finish. ...  The 2006 Havens Merlot reminds me of a young St-Emilion or Cotes de Catillon ... and is very French in its approach. ...  This is serious wine with plenty of structure and density."

I bought a number of cases and will stockpile them in my wine locker for three to four years, trying one every six months to determine how it is aging.  IMO the quality-to-price ratio of this wine is off the charts.

ETA:  The Havens winery was sold to another party about a year ago, and the new owner is the one that decided to cease operations.  I believe Michael Havens was a part of the operation for the 2006 wines, but I'm not sure of all the details.  In any event, you need to taste the wine for yourself and decide.
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