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The Kosher Wine Guy
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 Head
to Head
Baron
Herzog California Merlot 2001 vs. Gamla Merlot 2002
The
Taste Test
Merlot |
Wine |
Merlot |
Baron
Herzog Wine Cellars |
Winery |
Golan
Heights Winery |
2001 |
Year |
2002 |
USA
(California) |
Country |
Israel
(Upper Galilee) |
8.99 |
Price |
14.99 |
2 |
Color |
2.5 |
| A
medium ruby color, but it's too thin and shallow looking.
It's clearly lacking when seen next to the Gamla. |
Note |
A
nice dark ruby color with a good healthy glow. It's darker
that the Herzog. It's noticeable even to the casual observer,
i.e., my wife. |
5 |
Aroma |
6 |
| It
smells of oak, wild berries, some blackberries and cherries.
That sounds like it should be good, but there's also a
medicine scent that shouldn't be there and it loses points.
There's no contest here. The Gamla is better. |
Note |
Very
good fruity scent of wild cherries, blackberries and jam
along with a light scent of fresh oak. Nicely done! It's
much better than the Herzog. This is where we separate
the men from the boys.... |
7.5 |
Taste |
8.5 |
| The
Herzog Merlot is dry and has a good amount of tanins that
work on your tongue. But the flavors seem watered down.
There are cherries, blackberries and a bit of pepper and
tea but it doesn't come together. Disappointing.
They serve this
at a lot of kosher functions, but don't let them serve
it at yours. Your guests deserve better! |
Note |
The
Gamla is smooth and soft with a fruity start and a dry
finish. It has lots of wild cherries, blackberries, a
bit of plum, jam and oak. This is a really good blend
of flavors. It's the younger brother of the Yarden Merlot,
also from Golan Heights Winery, and the real difference
is the length of time they're in oak barrels before bottling.
The Gamla is bottled sooner and has less of an oak taste.
One is not necessarily better than the other, it's really
a matter of personal preference. They're both teriffic
wines. |
14.5 |
Total |
17 |
A
final word....
The
Gamla I would buy again and the Herzog I would not.
That's all you really need to know! That's the bottom
line. The Gamla was better in every category and was
the clear winner. It has a lively, fruity taste that
would compliment many meals and is easy to drink. It
has a light oak flavor from it's short time in oak barrels
and I know some people prefer this to the oakier (if
that's a word!) flavor of the Yarden Merlot, also from
Golan Heights Winery. I actually prefer the Yarden myself,
but you should try both. The Gamla has a small amount
of Cabernet Sauvignon in it, as well, and that may account
for the fruitiness but it's a welcome addition.
As
I've said, caterers serve the Herzog at a lot of kosher
events. It's the Budweiser of kosher wines, but you
should insist on something better. Why would you treat
your guests any differently than you would treat them
in your own home? They won't see this at my son's Bar
Mitzvah, I can tell you that...
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