Happy Together: Spicy Michel-Schlumberger Merlot meets big flavors

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 5, 2008 | by Jolene Thym

I'M A FAN of stout, spicy wines, but I have to say I was stopped in my tracks at the first mouthful of Michel-Schlumberger's 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot. Impatient that it was getting late and I was stuck on the phone, I sneaked a sip of the wine mid-conversation "... and nearly choked. I expected it to be round, fruity and, well, relaxed. But this wine is so cinnamon-forward that my tongue just wasn't ready. After I hung up the phone, I came around for a second sip and recognized this Merlot as my kind of Merlot, sassy and spicy like a Tempranillo. I knew I need big flavor to to with this wine, so I stuffed a pair of pork chops with bacon, chives and blue cheese. The smoky sweetness of the bacon offered just the right flavor bridge.

Reach Jolene Thym at jthym@bayareanewsgroup.com.