2000 Spicewood Merlot

[hotwine]

Another from this Texas Hill Country winery west of Austin. Subtle on the nose with bright fruit lurking behind French oak and modest dirt, coming forward on the palate but with a softness not normally found in a Texas Merlot. Moderate finish, 13% alc/vol. With oak-grilled burgers Saturday night. About $11 at the winery.

[hotwine]

Had another tonight with left-over pieces of oak-grilled Omaha Steaks NY strips (gifted at Christmas... tender, but no flavor). The Merlot seems to be fading.... a lot more like a dying Beaujolais than anything else. Glad this was the last.

Don't know why OS beef is raved about. Must be pure PR, same as Ruth's Chris Steakhouse fare. Looks good, but that dog won't hunt.

[Innkeeper]

Agree on OS, but have nice hunks of cow at Ruth's Chris in Orlando. However it is a little too pricy for us now.