One of America’s Best Sommeliers Blind Taste Tests Merlots Under $15

Merlot, when it’s at its best, is a wine that’s not too dry and not too fruity. It’s round, smooth, and not too overpowering-a good selection will be supple and somewhat earthy with notes of plum. Watch Patrick nobly blind taste six different merlots you can find for less than $15: Coppola, Charles Smith Velvet Devil, Rodney Strong, Castle Rock, Bogle and Casa Lapostolle. (Spoiler alert: some wines fare better than others).
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[@ILikeTheThingsIDo]

Just because wine is cheap, does not mean it's bad. The Velvet Devil is a staple in my house for drinking and cooking.

[@pbindulgence]

Couldn't agree more.

[@ILikeTheThingsIDo]

undo.kat You don't drink wine because you like it, you drink it because you're trying to impress someone.

[@nicolapodgornik]

ILikeTheThingsIDo i like tavernello too, to get drunk. 1.25€/liter, it kinda somehow has a similar taste to real wine. than you have freschello, which is an imitation of tavernello, which costs 54 cents/liter. than you have wine from "privata", which normally costs 1 euro/liter and is actually real wine!

[@FungusMossGnosis]

Guys, stop making fun of undo.kat, I don't believe they're playing with a full deck.

[@jeffmoore3804]

ILikeTheThingsIDo is my favorite wine hands down. I don’t drink expensive wine but this is a wine everyone will love upon drinking

[@mrcali68]

I wish you guys would do 100 more of these with Patrick! Super entertaining!

[@DiVinoWine]

Hello! Patrick was such a joy to watch! I have tons of fun and informative wine videos on my channel to help you to taste (and smell) like the best of 'em. Check out my 21 Days to Wine series. Episode 1 of the series is an 'Introduction to Wine Tasting'-- Would love to know what you think!

[@Jacob-ry3lu]

2:17 next time the waiter asks me which wine I’d like I’ll just say “bring me your lengthiest red please”

[@WhatsY0UTUB3]

would be better if you had expensive wines mixed in so he doesnt know theyre all cheap

[@MrWalker1000]

yeah flawed test

[@leonderond4746]

The price of the wine usually does not respond with the quality.

[@nohandles406]

yeah which is why Sommeliers are bullshit along with everything they stand for.

[@MrWalker1000]

why are they bulshit?

[@MrWalker1000]

as in expensive wine is bad or that cheap wine can be good? whats a reall good wine regardless of the price? that wont break bank though.

[@galrjkldd]

yeah, when he seems to know these are cheap wines, it already affects his perception of them.

[@Savedcitytitan7118]

I agree i dont think "blind" taste teste was the correct title

[@noelsoto4329]

There’s been so many studies to show this is true. But I think they do it so that the dude doesn’t look like a fool thinking a 9$ wine costs 500$ or something and discrediting him. Lol

[@Akryus]

He has judged blind two Coppola wines and said they both smelled like burnt rubber and tasted highly acidic. Two wines by the same maker and his description was similar. Probably knows what he’s talking about.

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

This wasn't about testing his ability to tell what's a cheap or expensive wine, he's just giving his opinion on cheap wines

[@noelsoto4329]

J.A. M.F I see what you’re saying but as the dude said just knowing they are cheap wines affects his perception of them so it’s not like it’s 100% accurate.

[@JamWat23]

Linkin Park are really branching out!!

[@rossbeattie8947]

That joke didn't age well...

[@blackybohead1313]

Ross Beattie he stopped branching out

[@CynthiaAnne89]

Lmao 😂

[@dr.8553]

Not anymore

[@angelicaperez7752]

Love The Velvet Devil. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@suburbansomm1918]

Love watching this guy. Would be cool if they threw in an upscale bottle with the others though.

[@TheTTstudio]

GREAT! Have been waiting a long time for this series. Looking forward for the next one soon!

[@805adventures2]

Very helpful. I live in Paso Robles CA, so I need to look like I know what I'm doing!

[@dirtyblond2332]

I dont even drink wine, but am finding myself addicted to watching this guys blind tests !

[@BlackBarney]

"i'm beginning to fear for my life." Look forward to trying that Devil wine from Washington! Thanks!

[@tomsawyer4321]

You just know if was told they were all $200 bottles he would be waxing lyrical about the complexity and balance of these finely crafted glasses of deliciousness

[@Rojum55]

I actually bought some Velvet Devil...and was not dissapointed! Good cred man!

[@phaton89]

Love the Charles Smith props. The most bonkers dude in Washington State wines.

[@tedybomber1713]

"Like a condom on a plum" I'm gonna use that descriptor

[@guguigugu]

actually a great description for the taste of low-end reds

[@LetsTacoBoutWine]

🤣🤣🤣

[@JNYC-gb1pp]

A little hint into what he does on weekends

[@spudpud-T67]

Tasting rubber tyre is one of the sulphur compounds; mercaptan. An indication of poor winemaking. Sulphur compounds dull or smother the fruit in a wine and when not removed in good time, complex into mercaptans. This is what happens when you leave a wine and don't check it in the barrel. Sulphur flavours should be removed with copper sulphate or inline copper equipment, much like the use of copper in old pot stills.

[@winetasticme6480]

I wouldn't go as far as saying something like that about a wine because wine is a beautiful thing but there are some wine out there that you really just can't enjoy sometimes

[@braines9]

Nice subtle Sideways reference...

[@daviddalziel884]

A great watch ! Not a Merlot fan normally and in the U.K. possibly only the Velvet Devil and maybe Casa Lapostolle available . Wish there was a U.K. version of these videos available-Cheers !

[@kbslimjim]

Disclaimer: I’ve represented 4 out of 6 of these wines in my career in wine sales. He’s actually quite accurate when it comes to these wines. The Velvet Devil and Casa Lapostolle are pretty good value wines while the rest are actually made at mega industrial wineries except Bogle. He did pronounce Bogle wrong, but whatever. I was quite happy to hear that he wasn’t a total pretentious prick. I have sold wine to far less talented somms who would never submit to a blind taste test like this. After being told it is $15 wine, these people would’ve just gagged on all the wines

[@brockr4377]

Good call Kyle, he botched the pronunciation of Bogle big time. I particularly like their Merlot, but they produce a Petite Sirah that's very good, and a staple in my wine rotation...cheers my friend!

[@diodelvino3048]

I've taken interest in wine for about 3 years now , honestly im happy he liked the Velvet Devil so much because its one of my favorite Cheap options of wine, easy to drink, easy to open, great flavor for the price

[@Cashback13]

I don't care how well this guy described the experience and how many awards he has won, I am NOT DRINKING F**KIN MERLOT!

[@random-nz7dy]

Hahaha love the Sideways reference

[@Happyvibes1998]

No one cares what u going to do or not going to do wtf

[@Happyvibes1998]

I guess that was kind of a sideways reference 😂😂

[@winetasticme6480]

I just started my KZbin channel about wine 2 years ago and I really like the fact that you keep things so real and so simple when you talk about wine and even better there's no second motive behind it because you're not promoting any specific wine which in some cases I understand when people do promote a wonder they like it's fine but you seem to be very honest about your opinions and I like that about you

[@toxxicbambie6670]

Why can’t I stop watching this guy taste wines

[@kjkmo]

A condom on a plum...…....maybe the most classic description ever! I busted a gut on that one. Thanks!

[@carlbowles1808]

Good Merlot is challenging to craft. Many aren't very good some are terrible. Merlot done right is a jewel. Thanks dude.👍👍

[@heyheytaytay]

"And if anybody orders Merlot I'm outta there. I am NOT DRINKING ANY FUCKING MERLOT"

[@andrewkrahn2629]

+Indulgence so you know, your long titles get clipped on mobile, so there's no way of telling which wine video each thumbnail is without running it.

[@kagitsune]

I'll have to try that Velvet Devil and Casa! I've also had a lot of luck with Chilean wines... Argentina too! Malbecs are my favorite so far. :)

[@carlbowles1808]

I like Malbec and bonarda they are great wines.

[@RobotSaysRawr]

Like many have said here: should have thrown in a wine or two that was considered on the "higher end" strictly based on price. He knew all the wines being tasted were sold for less than $15 meaning he could review them all as such.

[@random-nz7dy]

Thank you. And for example Francis Coppola and Rodney Strong are solid wines that I would not classify as cheap as it relates to the average wine drinker. The vast percentage of wine is bought for $10 or less so if you're in the $15 range you're buying more expensive wine than the vast majority of wine drinkers. Many of those are going to be fine wines to drink. Most of us can't afford to regularly drink $50 bottles and up

[@nicolapodgornik]

Do that in italy (or france). 10 euros and you get a pretty decent a+ merlot

[@strelok5661]

chilean wine > european

[@ryuuseiboi950]

@@strelok5661 You wish.

[@strelok5661]

@@ryuuseiboi950 europoorean wine is meh

[@ryuuseiboi950]

@@strelok5661 No, me is an adequate description for the best chilean wine. out there My backyard grows better grapes than the entirity of South America.

[@intothebrandy4464]

Had a Diamond Collection Black Label 1910-Type Coppola Claret last year. It was quite good. Well-balanced and smooth. Obviously not every vintage is going to turn out as well.

[@denicevictorious4644]

Washintgon State has some of the best tasting Merlots, way better than California. Chile, France, Argentina, and Australia all have nice Merlots as well.

[@TeeDee87]

Wines from Chile are saviours for budget at least here where I live in North Europe. You can find excellent red wines for about 10-15€. Sometimes even 8€ ones surprise.

[@carlbowles1808]

I agree Chilean wines are very good at affordable price.

[@thesongilovesomuch]

love all of his tasting and pairing , very impersonated, and suit the professional and as well as the general population, plz make more, thanks

[@Splimbo]

i like this guy he doesnt give off that pretentious feel other sommeliers have, listing off flavors like "kinda tastes like dads eyebrows...mmm yes definitely dads eyebrows and since it has a taste of aftershave i could tell its dads sunday eyebrows..all in all a 9 out 10"

[@raybowman9380]

Enjoyed your critique, appears to straight forward and honest. Keep up th e good work.

[@DiVinoWine]

Hi Ray! I have tons of fun and informative wine videos on my channel to help you to taste (and smell) like the best of 'em. Check out my 21 Days to Wine series. Episode 1 of the series is an 'Introduction to Wine Tasting'-- I'd love to know what you think!

[@lordddame]

This wine taste likes a cigar hotboxed honda, hints of asbestos, and maybe some skatole.

[@trinityemergencytraumacent9317]

Hell yes on The Velvet Devil!

[@msanto99]

I've bought 5 bottles of velvet devil cause of this dood

[@John_Lemon23]

Mitchell Santo amen

[@swu1413]

and how do you like them

[@bransky]

Same! And never touching castl rock and Bogle again

[@workbackwards]

It's a great value

[@recipoldinasty]

The chilean one tho, ive tried it, for the price is heaven

[@nimbly1693]

Coppola Merlot is one of my favorites.

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

I really like Coppola’s wines lol

[@ec8927]

“Rodney not so Strong” 🤣

[@MrSuave4567]

I hate to disagree but Rodney Strong actually has some decent wines but you got to go and buy their upper shelf wines and they are very bordeaux-style wine so you have to invest a little more money before you get there best wines and just a note for everyone to hear I think he's trying one of the $15 bottles so yeah that's going to be the greatest quality but very decent for the price though

[@Wanda_Jannette]

Everyone is different I have a very demanding palate great Copolla Merlots 2003 & 2006 great years. Casa Lapostolle 1996 & 2006 excellent A wine 90 points.

[@greller01]

Finally a guy i can listen to talking about wine, gotta visit your restaurant.

[@oyen_ke]

Here's a guy helping consumers make more informed choices, yet people go bitchin' about it.

[@maybeyourbaby6486]

Fucking wine, man. I just drink grape juice with vodka. Fuck the system.

[@nateb6033]

Will you give him thunderbird please?

[@marklyon7548]

I appreciate that the reviewer is being honest. I gotta like a young guy; who wears a Bowie T-Shirt.

[@esthaltap9499]

Wowwww!!!!! Delicious world...one day I will start this practice

[@DiVinoWine]

Hi Lara! Patrick was so insightful in his analysis. I also have tons of fun and informative wine videos on my channel to help you to taste (and smell) like the best of 'em. Check out my 21 Days to Wine series. Episode 1 of the series is an 'Introduction to Wine Tasting'-- I'd love to know what you think!

[@LP-gs3xj]

Merlot. The Toyota Camry of wine, Does everything reasonably well but nothing exceptional.

[@lilsalad4931]

this is crazy.. too bad hes blind :/

[@bhavs26]

xD

[@davidferrer678]

lil salad bro that comment back still has me dying to this day

[@SgtSayWhat]

Those glasses are huge for tasting!

[@matkaplio5390]

Me anytime I consume any alcohol: 3:12

[@abiromu]

This video prompted me to buy the Velvet Devil merlot. I haven't had any other merlot since. I have tried other Charles Smith wines too. They're all pretty good

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

True story

[@RCTricking]

I've never been a big fan of straight merlot, but it's one of my favorite blend grapes

[@ace625]

They should do these by region - a lot of us pay attention to this as much as if not more than varietal when buying wines.

[@HarrisPilton789]

I bought a bottle of Velvet Devil based on Patrick Capiello’s recommendation. I enjoyed it!

[@AslanSokurov]

Man, i am really impressed how you present this shit with name Merlot. I hate it. But real respect that you so patiently describe this wine in your video.

[@pamanes7]

The godfather 3 of wines ROFL...hey! that last scream from Pacino made the entire movie worthy!

[@MrSuave4567]

I like to emphasize something because I do like your presentations but I like to add that Rodney strong does make some really good wines with an excellent bordeaux-style but you do have to go upper Shelf for those great wines and spend a lease $50 and up, I think what you are tasting here is one of the lower Shelf cabs so yeah you're not going to get a lot all of that but still very decent for the price between $13 and $18

[@mathieulevasseur4082]

He destroyed one of my favorite wines. Silver lining: I now have 2 new recommendations.

[@JohnQuincy1776]

which one ? I have enjoyed some Rodney Strong wines (but I have never tried the Merlot).

[@per-olamjomark7452]

"Lika a condom on a plum". I like these analogies.

[@monicaf4224]

Casa la Postalle is one of my favs!

[@DiVinoWine]

Hi Monica! Patrick was so fun to watch! if you're interested in learning even more, check out my 21 Days to Wine KZbin series! Episode 1 begins with an Intro to Wine Tasting. Let me know what you think!

[@recipoldinasty]

Chilean wine under 25 dollars is pure magic, theres passion there

[@davidperry4013]

Merlot is the perfect wine to drink while eating pizza. The flavors of a meat lovers pizza and a 5 fluid ounce glass of merlot compliment eat other well

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

David Perry only 5 ounces?

[@shinnam]

Wish they would try cheap wines that are mass marketed, that could possibly be found in Europe. Not going to find a Washington state wine at the Swedish Systembolget.

[@veerchasm1]

“I ain’t drinkin’ any ^*$€£|>_# Merlot!”

[@DenshoGiallo]

Laughing at soda drinkers in the comments ! How does it feel to still act like a child in your adulthood ?

[@FungusMossGnosis]

I bring a 2 liter of Pepsi to the party and I'm the hit of the night, because that's what people really want, not this spoiled vinegary fruit abomination.

[@chipsellarole267]

Love it that his 2 favorite wines are screw capped, awesome.

[@rcordiner]

This guy is tasting wines that are still twice the price of anything I'd drink in the UK!

[@marnusdejager3311]

When are you trying some South African wines? I would actually like to know what you think of South African wine

[@fredinamartin9241]

The Velvet Devil is the greatest! ❤

[@chenxilin7172]

Not all the merlot is "not too dry". Actually, a lot of merlot in Bordeaux is usually even drier tham cabernet.

[@wesmalusek1518]

What’s this guys name? I like the way he did this and want to watch more from him

[@bobby-ov9qn]

Sorry to hear about the Coppola Merlot. Looks like I'll stay with the Claret, which I really like.

[@random-nz7dy]

The Coppola Merlot is fine, imo. This guy's hypercritical because he knows the price of the wine beforehand and he's used to drinking expensive bottles

[@aarontoliverjr5769]

What’s the best sweet tasting red wines? I’m new to wine

[@jg6495]

Liberty Creek🍷

[@leovoi]

wow.. cool! I'm new to this world of wine, but love Merlot! :D

[@xx_memious-stealious-corne2897]

Whats the song at 5:06? I heard this song so long ago as a kid and have been searching for it everywhere!

[@nikoyochum6974]

Go Washington!!!

[@YazzFlute]

14 hands merlot out of Washington in good

[@KennethRathburn]

The lack of comments mentioning the Sideways reference at the beginning saddens me.

[@JohnQuincy1776]

I missed it, what was it?

[@kamotetops1572]

I don't know what's wrong with the vid focusing on a $15 wine and not having an expensive one. I do appreciate this kinds of reviews as use wine for cooking. Can't see myself cooking using an EXPENSIVE wine. As they say, "don't use wine for cooking that is not good enough to drink by itself".

[@nymetswinws]

$15 is like twice what I am willing to pay for wine.

[@blip8153]

That made me spit out my natty light!

[@Cyberman86]

Then you are not a wine drinker, you just want something to relax you and get buzzed.

[@GrahamCrannell]

The only Bogle worth a damn is their Phantom. That shit is unbelievable. It's a red blend, not a merlot, but it is only $15.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

Wine Spectator actually named the Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (2015) the wine of the year last year.

[@pepperco100]

I disagree with this "expert." I bet in a real blind taste test with a couple expensive vintages thrown in to make it fair he'd likely embarrass himself. We drink good but inexpensive wines most of the time. On a special occasion, a better wine is a treat.

[@Growmetheus]

"Bogle. Theres a joke in there someplace." Peggy Hill rises from the depths...

[@26Marlow]

try Zuccardi malbec......let me know what you think

[@theodore738]

fucking love this guy

[@doughboi007]

Rebelle went under so fast.

[@XSpamDragonX]

Why do you pour a full glass if you only drink one or maybe two sips.

[@BruceRose]

How does one "force" a wine?

[@phtevenmolz5030]

You can't force it. This guy, along with every other sommelier, is just a pretentious fuckbag.

[@Societyofknowledge]

so..what im not getting, he is saying that he is getting all of these different tastes, cherries, plum etc... but like, the wine is made out of a grape? So how can a grape taste lika a cherry? or like any other fruit?

[@SloveneAnon]

Many different ways. Different soils the vine grape grows on can affect taste as well as weather. Later wine is stored in barrels which are made from different wood types adding all sorts of new flavour.

[@sergeantbigmac]

Im from Washington and the guy's right, I swear ive seen that castle rock shit EVERYWHERE.

[@Orestopheles]

how does one become a vodka taster, I feel as though I have the pallet for such a thing.

[@atirou]

Typically you would start by bartending in a restaurant dealing in fine cuisine and training your palette. Here you can make relationships with the different reps that come through that will sell you their product. Once you've established a good relationship with a few reps and a reputation as someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about vodka it just becomes about reaching out and letting them know that you are looking for work in any new distilleries that may be adding onto their portfolio. They are incentivised to put you in contact with any new distilleries in their portfolio obviously because as someone who has trained their pallette in many styles of vodka and is knowledgeable in it's production, you are a valuable asset for product development. They put you in the tasting room, bing bang boom.

[@toomuchtime11]

Ted Moseby if he was a sommelier

[@TheHighFlys]

This channel is great, just subbed! You guys should try going onto facebook and make a page, it's how BuzzFeed really blew up from all the moms who spend all day on facebook. Keep up the great work!

[@gustavodemira7416]

Why don't you guys have more subscribers?????

[@jeffdeal4681]

i literally just found this channel, subbed. will pimp it out.

[@pbindulgence]

Thank you!

[@alexrobidoux2062]

Maybe they new, it takes a while to take off for most, consistency is the key.

[@papi_dummy]

Because their "blind" tastes tests are not actually blind which effects what the interviewee has to say about it. This has been scientifically proven.

[@raakis88]

provide the proof then

[@comptegoogle511]

In Crystal Lake Iowa the 8$ Merlot is about the only comestible wine you can find.

[@magnaviousyk3118]

I never believe any wine tester score, it varies a lot. Some wine scores very high at some place, but the same wine scores very bad in other testing. So I don't know, seems like a very vague standards.

[@1pwNz0mb13Z]

I purchased 4 wines under $10 and liked them more than some of the more expensive I've had... The only thing that matters with wine is how good the picture on the bottle is

[@cocoaman20]

For sure

[@bigtonytiger]

What's with the playboy bunny at the top right?

[@iBRiDGE380]

Thank you

[@13Luk6iul]

How much does wine cost in the US? Like is 15$ really a cheap wine or just a cheaper good wine? In Germany you can buy cheap wine for 2-3€

[@nikoyochum6974]

Lukas S you can get suuuuupper cheap shit in the US too

[@13Luk6iul]

i see, thanks!

[@jackkardic5151]

The $15 price is a good "respectable" wine. Not a $3 college chugging wine, and not a $100 "I make more money than you" wine.

[@noremac74564]

Enjoy your future Indulgence. This is awesome content. :) - A new sub.