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+--- Thread: Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot 2001 (/thread-7695.html)
- Thraz - 06-29-2006
Not a wimpy merlot, that. Spicy, perhaps peppery on the nose, surprising for the variety. Then, back to merlot on the palate, very deep and complex, restrained fruit, good finish. I am really not familiar with Italian wines so I can't really compare it to other super Tuscans or others, but I liked it a lot.
I had it by the glass at Cova, in Houston. The restaurant is also a retail store and they sell the bottle for $43. Again I don't know enough about Italian wines to know if it's a good value for that category, but it seems very expensive to me compared to some other quality merlots of similar style, including from Bordeaux.
- Innkeeper - 06-29-2006
Is it a Tuscan? We have enjoyed some of the Merlots from Collio-Friuli where they have vineyards of Merlot going way back. The ones we've had were in the $15-$20 range.
- hotwine - 06-29-2006
Spec's retail price in Houston is $45.16 per.
- Thraz - 06-29-2006
Yes it's a Tuscan from Montepulciano.
Hotwine, I thought Cova's retail prices were very competitive compared to Spec's and others. However, their glass prices are outrageously high. The food was very good (I had great braised oxtail), and I think the way to go is to get a bottle from their retail inventory and have them open that, they only charge a $10 corkage fee. I recommend it if you're in Houston.
- hotwine - 06-29-2006
Thanks, Thraz, but when visiting that fair city I always bring my own. Or raid sister-in-law's cellar, which I've stocked for her.
- Thraz - 06-29-2006
Hotwine,
Any good places in Houston that you would recommend where you can bring your own? Unless you mean your own - to people's houses. Thanks.
- hotwine - 06-30-2006
Sorry if I misled you there, Thraz. We frequently buy take-out when visiting Houston, and bring it to sister-in-law's home for consumption. There are probably BYOB places there, but I don't know of them.
Even the best restaurants seem happy these days to prepare a meal to-go..... saves the manager a table and the saves customers their tips to the waitstaff and sommelier (although I usually tip the usual rate when paying at the cashier).