Consistency always counts, and when it comes to wine, you can count on Chateau Ste. Michelle and its several secondary labels, to provide both taste and value in the same bottle. The Red Diamond label Merlot from these folks is an excellent example of a really good bottle of wine for a value price. This is a Washington State wine and is a blend of 93% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. The alcohol level is 13.5%.
We paired the 2011 Red Diamond with grilled lamb chops, which are always great with Merlot, and were not disappointed. This is a big, fat juicy Merlot with an abundance of flavor dominated by cherry and blackberry, underscored by ripe plum. It has a hint of spice with a touch of oak in the finish. The finish is long and lingering and is a perfect companion for lamb. I like wines from Washington and this one is very Bordeaux-like in character as well as structure and reminds one of the classic taste of Saint-Emilion.
Other good choices to pair with the 2011 Red Diamond Merlot would be lasagna, grilled tuna or steak, or a platter of select cheeses. If it is not dinner time, just sit out on the back porch and sip. Norm’s score is 89.
Score: 89
Price: $10 – $14
By: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net
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