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by Fred McMillin
for August 2000
How Much to Pay
For California Merlot?
Prologue
Naturally the price of Merlot increases as the quality increases. with our WineDay Buyer's Cap, you decide what rating you want, it tells you about how much to pay to get it. Let's get it on.
The Rest of the Story
We examined all the California Merlots tasted in the last year, rated from 77 (ordinary quality) to 91 (excellent). It costs only a dollar to move up one rating point in the 70s, but more as we go higher. Here are the costs.
| Rating | Price of the Wine | Cost to Go Up One Point |
| 77 | $ 9.00 | $1.00 |
| 78 | $10.00 | $1.00 |
| 79 | $11.00 | $1.00 |
| 80 | $12.00 | $1.00 (80 is a bit above average) |
| 81 | $13.00 | $1.00 |
| 82 | $14.00 | $1.00 |
| 83 | $15.00 | $1.50 |
| 84 | $16.50 | $1.50 |
| 85 | $18.00 | $2.00 (85 is a very respectable wine) |
| 86 | $20.00 | $2.00 |
| 87 | $22.00 | $2.00 |
| 88 | $24.00 | $4.00 |
| 89 | $28.00 | $8.00 |
| 90 | $36.00 | $12 (90 indicates an outstanding wine) |
| 91 | $48.00 | --- |
Using the Buying Cap
My Everyday Merlot - with James Beard's flank steak tonight, we want a nice, but very affordable Merlot. It costs only a dollar a point up to 82, which typically costs $14. So, I'll ask my wine shop for their best $14 California Merlot.
Merlot When I Have Guests - The cost per point isn't bad up to 88, so I'll take home the best $22 to $24 California Merlot in the shop.
Gift for the Wine Lover - Need a 90 rating, so we're in the $35 to $40 range.
Examples
Here is a good representative of the various quality ratings.
Rating The California Merlot
77 Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, California
81 Sterling, Central Coast
84 Chateau Souverain,
Alexander Valley
86 Markham, Napa Valley
87 Clos Pegase, Napa Valley
88 St. Clement, Napa Valley
89 Firestone Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley
90 Peju Province, Napa Valley
Comment
Four of the five highest rated California Merlots are produced from Napa Valley grapes. We know that region is the best Cabernet Sauvignon district in the state, and it looks like Cab's Bordeaux cousin, Merlot, is right at home there, too.
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This page created August 2000