Chalone Merlot Monterey

The Chalone Chardonnay was sent to Paris in 1976 (See Judgment of Paris, George M. Taber) and was judged third in that history-changing competition/wine tasting. Cloudy Bay was written up in Taber’s book as well, as one of the leading winemakers in one of the finest wine-growing areas in the world. So we leaped at the chance to try a Chalone, especially with its $26 price tag. I mean, in a RESTAURANT? A great wine at a great price doesn’t happen very often. Sure enough, it’s available for an average of around $12, and for as little as $7.34 online. Run, do not walk.