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X Wine X Magazine, August 29, 2001 1999 Sonoma County Merlot RECOMMENDED Wine of the Week Orange County Register, July 7, 2005 2001 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "They say a rising tide floats all boats. And so it was for many midlevel (and even modest) red wines from Northern California's great 2001 vintage. The summer started out hot-hot-hot, then dragged on through a long, cool fall. Today, most '01 Napa Cabernets are still undrinkable - - mean, tannic monsters that show promise for, I dunno, 2010. Even some Merlots need more time in the cellar. This week's wine was released two years ago with no such expectations. Frei Bros. 2001 Dry Creek Valley Merlot was described on its label as a "medium bodied Merlot with silky-soft tannins." A second label for Gallo Sonoma, Frei Brothers is intended for folks who pick up wine at the grocery and take it home for dinner that night. But something happened to it during the time it lay forgotten in my wine cabinet: it got a lot better. I pulled it out with several more expensive 2002 Merlots to taste alongside grilled pork loin chops. To my surprise, it blew the more expensive wines away. The first impression was of licorice and tar, flavors more typical of Syrah. Underneath was silky blackberry and black cherry fruit. The wine was rich and velvety, the tannins almost completely absorbed into the fruit. If I have any complaint, it's that the wine lacks a little body. At 13.8 percent alcohol, it's pushing the lean edge for a Bordeaux varietal. Still, it's a great wine for pork, chicken or salmon cooked on the grill, especially if you have a heavy hand with the sauce." RECOMMENDED Miami Herald, February 18, 2010 2007 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Medium body, black cherry and black pepper aromas and flavors, soft tannins." BRONZE MEDAL San Diego National Wine Competition, April 30, 2002 2000 Merlot Bronze DECANTER , October 1, 2008 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot 2008 Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze DECANTER , October 1, 2008 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot 2008 Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze DECANTER , October 1, 2008 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot 2008 Decanter World Wine Awards B+ 1WineDude.com, April 3, 2010 2007 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Dark berry & a hint of herbaceousness, pretty much the whole early-drinking package." Wine News, June 1, 2008 2006 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Lush nose of blueberry and briar. Intense, youthful flavors of blueberry and blackberry accented by a pretty white pepper note. A subtle cocoa aspect graces the fruity close." Grape Anticipation, January 1, 2008 2005 Merlot "Fruit forward with flavors of cherry and blackberry. Medium bodied with hints of spice and vanilla." Wine & Spirits, April 1, 2002 2000 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Cool and juicy, this is a bright, clean Merlot that remains oriented toward fruit all the way through. It has a lively, red plum flavor that lasts, fresh and simple, balanced and harmonious with rare prime rib." Independent Weekly, October 11, 2006 2003 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Attractive dark roses, mint, and a touch of roasted fruit and charred oak that works splendidly here. A good, stay with you, flavorful mouth feel. Dark, plummy, luxurious mouth texture. Lasting flavors and effortless balance. This is a very consistent property." Wine News, August 1, 2005 2003 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Crimson hue. Smoky aromas of roasted plum an charred oak. Lively flavors of just picked raspberry and minerals. A note of smoke in the close." Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2005 2003 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Somebody picked early, to judge from the slightly green, peppercorn notes. But in a way that adds to the complexity, and makes the wine different. It's not a fruit bomb, it's a coffee, herb and blackberry-flavored dry merlot with structural integrity." Winona Daily News, February 13, 2008 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Classy, medium-bodied, full-flavored and user-friendly general-purpose premium red wine with ripe but well-mannered cherry fruit and dry tannins for backbone and balance, from Gallo." Wine Review Online.com, April 22, 2008 2005 Russian River Valley Merlot "For $20 one is not apt to get a deeply nuanced, complex wine, but unlike so many passable but blah Merlots in this price range, the Frei Brothers offers enough intricacy of fruit flavors balanced by spice and vanilla, plus a soft finish - all of which makes it an appealing red wien choice." The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2010 2007 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Frei has also done a very nice job with their 2007 Merlot, an opulent example revealing notions of plums, black cherries, mocha, and coffee beans. With delicious fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a heady finish, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Petite Sirah and Zinfandel should drink well for 4-5 years. It is an excellent value." Wine Review Online.com, March 23, 2010 2007 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "This well-made Merlot has aromas of black fruit, spicy oak and cassis, along with flavors of ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis. It has a silky texture and is nicely balanced." Wine Spectator, July 31, 2003 2001 Dry Creek Valley Merlot SMART BUY "A graceful style that's rich and concentrated, with a broad swath of currant, fresh sage, chocolate and black cherry flavors. Firm, herbal tannins and smoky, toasty oak carry through the finish. Drink now through 2007." Wine Enthusiast, December 15, 2007 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Shows off the reasons why Dry Creek has achieved a good reputation for this finicky variety, Merlot. The wine isn't made big, gooey Napa-style. Instead, there's an herbal earthiness to the cherry-berry fruit, and the dry tannins suggest pairing with rich fare." 86/86 Wine Lovers Page - Internet, June 1, 2006 2004 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "This middleweight Merlot shows nice balance, with black cherries, cedr, and vanilla spice delineating the wine." Wine & Spirits, June 1, 2005 2002 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Ripe, gentle balckberry flavors fill this wine with an herbal spice. An easy red to pour with beef stew." Wine News, October 1, 2007 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Dusty scents of plum and black cherry with hints of green pepper and tomato leaf. Ripe wild cherry flavors. A touch of black pepper in the finish." Wine Spectator, November 30, 2009 2007 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Soft and easygoing, with red currant and toasty dill aromas and cherry and herb flavors. Drink now." Tastings.com/BTI, October 1, 2001 1999 North Coast Merlot Quarterly Review of Wines, June 1, 2003 2001 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Medium-deep ruby color; intense, ultra-ripe, blackberry and vanilla nose; lush, ripe, mouthfilling, blackberry, chocolate and toasty oak flavors; deep, rich, well-concentrated character; long, resonant finish." Restaurant Wine, June 1, 2001 1999 Sonoma County Merlot Restaurant Wine, February 1, 2002 2000 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Very youthful and grapey, this is a full bodied, fleshy Merlot, with intense fruitiness (loganberry, plum, baked cherry) and toasty, licorice-like overtones." Quarterly Review of Wines, June 1, 2004 2001 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Deep ruby color; seductive ripe blackberry and vanilla nose; ripe, plush, deliciously succulent, blackberry cinnamon and nutty oak flavors; long, silky finish." Restaurant Wine, May 1, 2003 2001 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "Extremely supple and fruity in style, this is a fine Merlot, with luscious texture and a medium long finish. It tastes of raspberry, plum, toast and oak." Restaurant Wine, September 1, 2004 2002 Dry Creek Valley Merlot EXCELLENT "Supple and very fruity in style, this is an excellent Merlot, particularly at the price. Very smoothly textured, lightly oaked, and moderately persistent on the finish. It tastes of plum, blueberry, toast, and spicy oak." Houston Chronicle, August 22, 2007 2005 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "2005 Frei Brothers Merlot from Dry Creek Valley with 7 percent cabernet sauvignon; slightly dusty, nice plum and cherry nuances, and not jammy." Restaurant Wine, May 1, 2010 2007 Dry Creek Valley Merlot "A full bodied Merlot, with supple texture, light oakiness, and berry and cassis fruit overtones. Medium long finish. Fine value. 41,400 cases."

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