I haven't had a Merlot for a long time. I am thinking of pairing a 1998 Pahlmeyer Merlot tonight with a meat lasagna. I'm pushing for the Merlot because I've got a ton and very seldom drink it. Four couples semi (very semi) wine serious.

Here are Parker's notes:
(Dec 2000) Robert Parker 90 points Drink 2000-2008
The 1998 Merlot is light, but it is undoubtedly one of the finest Merlots produced in this irregular vintage. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (1,750 cases), Jayson Pahlmeyer and winemaker Erin Green decided to eliminate 38% of the wine. Full-bodied, thick, and juicy, with low acidity as well as melted chocolate, cherry, smoke, and toast aromas and flavors, it is best drunk over the next 5-8 years.

If anyone thinks I am absolutely crazy to pair a merlot with lasagna other choices include:
1999 La Sirena Sangiovese Juliana Vyd
2001 B&H Syrah, Homage to Ed Olveira
1999 Chiarello Petite Sirah, Roux Old Vine
2001 Martinelli Zinfandel, Guiseppi & Louisa

I figure I will need three bottle.
Which one would you serve?
I can decant them if you think it is needed. If I do decant, how long?

My reaction to the Pahlmeyer was that it was very smooth and pleasant but without much complexity. If your guests are more semi than serious, they will love the wine. I don't think you need to decant other than for show.

If you want to stay with the light and fruity theme, the La Sirena is drinking well.

davidn,

With red tomato sauce italian dishes, we really like zins so I would go with the Martinelli G & L. I'm like you in that I can't usually find a dish to drink merlot. I've just stopped buying very many merlots.

Good point ShaferGuy. I havn't ordered a merlot for over a year (including the switchback) and here I sit with 73 bottles of the stuff.

When am I going to drink it?

david,

you've got to drink the merlot sometime & if you have that many bottles & you find it less than exciting, this seems like the perfect opportunity to have a merlotfest.

next time we have dinner, i'll be sure to bring something other than merlot .

gus

Opened one bottle of the merlot and one of the sangiovese. Drank down the sangio and decanted the merlot for din-din.

Six red drinkers tonight. We went thru six bottles playing bocce and having dinner.

Yes, but were they serious? Did they bring their own bocce balls?

Most are (including me) very novice bocce-dudes and dudettes. I gotta set up a bi-weekly thing like you got going. I need some lessons

I am happy to share those important things that I have learned. If you are holding the wine glass in the left hand and the bocce ball in the right - then be careful to drink from the left hand.

I have that part down (at least most of the time ). I just have to learn to not turn my left hand while I am putting the body english on the ball. Also it is not that big a problem since several of my best friends are dentists.

"I have a drinking problem."

Okay, let me see if I got it...

Drink - left
Throw - right
Drink - left
Throw - right

Hey, I think I got it. 'Course, now I have to remember to throw it in the direction of the bocce court.