WTN: New World for a change

After accusations of being too old world in tastes I decided to try some new world arrivals. I wouldn't be so anti-new world if we got stuff like Edmunds St. John, but these two, though good in their styles, just didn't impress, so once again I am afraid I have to post negative notes.

Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch 2005 - Napa Valley, Howell Mountain; label
15% abv; 30€. A charred, strongly oaky, chocolate aroma but with some brighter berry aromas mixed with the darker fruit tones. Very full bodied and rich, with plenty of sweetness from the fruit; the high alcohol is well hidden; there is fair acidity and rather attractive backbone from tannins. Long. But still not a style of wine that speaks to me.

Leyda Sauvignon Blanc Lot 4 2009 - Chile, Leyda Valley; label
14% abv; 15€. Pungent, smells like grapefruit and blackcurrant leaves. Rich for the grape, quite alcoholic, high acid but so ripe it tastes like it has some RS (which according to the data sheet it doesn't have). Not really to my taste.

[David M. Bueker]

There is no way in the world I would ever expect you to like Beringer Bancroft Ranch Merlot. It's not going to happen.

Lots of folks love that wine though, and it's been made in the same style since before people started decrying Parker's power and point scoring.