Jenica Peak Coastal Merlot 2002
March 12, 2006 – 10:12 pmRoger was having a gathering tonight at his place to watch the season premiere of The Sopranos, and when I arrived, I stumbled upon an open bottle of the Jenica Peak Coastal Merlot, specifically the 2002 vintage.
Based on a little bit of research I did before starting to write this post, I found out that Jenica Peak is a brand that was introduced at Albertsons grocery stores about two years ago or so. Jenica Peak offers a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, basically the currently most popular varietals in the States.
Again, based on my research, it looks like bottles of Jenica Peak sell for anywhere between $8 and $12. The merlot was quite good. It had all the fruit and berry tastes expected of a merlot, but it was stronger than most merlots I have had. Almost spicy. If I had to identify two fruit tastes specifically, I would probably go with cherry and plum.
If you’re in the mood for a relatively inexpensive, though not what I would call “cheap”, merlot that packs a little punch, I would recommend trying the Jenica Peak Coastal Merlot. And being that you can pick it up at Albertsons, you may even be able to get it the next time you go grocery shopping.
4 Responses to “Jenica Peak Coastal Merlot 2002”
I thought it was very tasty, but maybe that was in contrast to the easy-to-drink-yet-relatively-tasteless Rosemount Estate Cab/Syrah blend I had just had.
By gv on Mar 12, 2006
That’s funny that you would mention the tasteless-ness of the Shiraz(aka Syrah)-Cab blend from Rosemount. I tried a bottle of their Shiraz-Grenache blend a couple of weeks ago, and I found it to be way too acidic, with the aroma reminding me more of rubbing alcohol than anything else.
I have had only one other Syrah, the Montpellier, and it was quite good. If the Shiraz-Cab blend is tasteless, then I would imagine it’s the Grenache that turned me off of the Shiraz-Grenache blend.
By jjk on Mar 13, 2006
I discovered the Jenica Peak chardonnay a year or so ago and love it. I think it is a wonderful inexpensive buttery woody flavored chardonnay. Its good to know that their other varieties stand up to the standard. Yeah Jenica Peak!
By Mari on Sep 5, 2007
I just got back from Laguna Beach, CA. We went to an upscale resturant and ordered Jenica Peak Merlot. It was 75.00 a bottle. If it is found in Albertsons for 8 -12 dollars a bottle, I am now disappointed that I spent 75.00.
By K on Apr 5, 2008