1858 California Merlot 2021 Reveiw

Takeaway

If you want a soft, easy red that does not demand too much attention, 1858 California Merlot is a reliable choice.

First Thought

This episode opened with a twist: a blind tasting for Colin. Joel and Aaron plotted behind the scenes, disguising the bottle so Colin had no idea what he was sipping. Cool as ever, Colin said he wasn’t nervou, ust curious to see how close he could get. The challenge? Call out the grape, the region, and anything else he could pin down. What ended up in his glass was the 2021 1858 Merlot, part of the Wagner family portfolio. At 14.9 percent alcohol and around $25–30, it was a bottle none of them had tried before.

Tasting NOtes

Colin’s blind notes started with cherry, red plum, and a surprising herbal quality that pushed him toward Italy. He called out oak influence, medium-plus acidity, firm tannins, and a balanced structure that made him guess Sangiovese from Chianti Classico. The reveal brought laughs: it was California Merlot. Everyone agreed the herbal streak was unusual for Merlot and probably what threw Colin off. As they kept sipping, chocolate and spice showed up alongside the red fruit. Despite its high alcohol, the wine felt smooth and never harsh.

Quick Tasting Notes

• Ripe plum
• Black cherry
• Vanilla
• Baking spices
• Mocah
• Short, clean fishinh

Highlights

Price Check
Often found under twenty dollars, making it a budget friendly option for weeknight sipping.

Shock Factor The herbal note was the big curveball. It convinced Colin he was drinking an old-world red and became the quality everyone kept coming back to.

Branding Talk
Aaron pointed out that while the wine is part of the Caymus family through Emmolo, the 1858 branding feels more like mass-market packaging. He’d personally look for the same wine under Emmolo’s own label.

Final Verdict

This 1858 Merlot is a smooth, fruit-forward surprise that changed the crew’s minds about what Merlot can be. Aaron praised its balance and fair value, Colin admitted it made him want to drink more Merlot, and Joel appreciated how nothing distracting got in the way of simply enjoying it. With its mix of red fruit, herbal lift, and chocolate depth, this bottle is best for anyone who wants an easy-to-share red that overdelivers for the price.

• Aaron: A Must Share. He thought the wine was balanced, tasty, and fairly priced, even if the 1858 branding felt over-marketed.
• Colin: A Must Share. He enjoyed it so much blind that he was shocked it turned out to be Merlot, saying if this is Merlot, he wants more.
• Joel: A Must Share. He praised the herbal quality and overall balance, noting how rare it is for nothing distracting to pull away from the experience.

Group Consensus: A clean sweep! Three Must Shares. The 1858 Merlot showed that California Merlot can deliver character, balance, and fun surprises.

And as always Stop Wasting Your Wine!