Put Your Hands Together For WHITEHALL LANE!

What is it about the name Whitehall Lane that intrigues me. Maybe it’s because it sounds a bit like an 80’s hair band? Can’t you almost hear “Hey Encino, put your hands together for WHITEHALL LANE!” as a flurry of spandex fills the stage and Aqua Net fills the air? Or maybe it’s because it sounds like a street where the rich people live on an Aaron Spelling primetime TV drama?

Or maybe it’s because they make damn fine wine – yeah, that’s more like it.  At WineExpedition.com we have been big fans of the Whitehall Lane Cabernet for quite some time – but I have to admit, I’ve never tried their Merlot. Don’t get me wrong, I like Merlot and am definitely not of the opinion that Merlot is for girls. I am one of the few who got the joke in Sideways where Miles swears off Merlot only to open a Cheval Blanc later in the film. Although I like Merlot, I will admit that I am less than adventurous when it comes to trying out new ones. With this varietal I am pretty much a boring creature of habit. That was until a few weeks ago when a buddy of mine decided to open one up shortly after a work meeting.  As I will not reveal my “day job” in this blog, I will say that I work for myself as does my friend Ryan. He and I do business with one another and –since we are both self-employed– are afforded small luxuries such as opening a bottle of wine after a meeting without the worry of say, human resources or a boss raising a stink. (In the name of professionalism please note that we rarely open a bottle of wine while we’re on the clock, but we were joined by a business associate/friend named Adrian who happens to be a big Merlot guy, so there) It was at this meeting that Ryan cracked open a 2005 Whitehall Lane Merlot and let me tell you it was awesome. As soon as he opened that baby up and poured into the first glass,  I was immediately taken by the amazing nose. Really big and nice, unlike the unassuming nose on many Merlots I’ve experienced. It was then time to swirl and have a sip – awesome. Lots of cherry, blackberry and vanilla with a really nice silky finish. Even if you’re one to “poo-poo” Merlot, I’d definitely give this one a try. Good from now until ’12.

Good for people who don’t care for Merlot, and awesome for people who love it, the 2005 Whitehall Lane delivers. Try one at your next business meeting, and if you get fired by HR for doing so, don’t blame us as we take absolutely no responsibility.