Ty Caton 2009 Upper Bench Merlot
$44.99 + $5 shipping
CONDITION: Red
PRODUCT: 2 2009 Upper Bench Merlot Sonoma Valley, Caton Vineyard
CT link above

Winery website

Previous offer:
12/5/11

D&D weekend crew had this with dinner at the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen on Sunday night. If I remember correctly it was $36 at the tasting room. Went nicely with everything at dinner, and would say it goes much better with food rather than by itself. Others may chime in with their impressions.

so it is drinking well now? no need to wait for it to settle down? or mature? or mellow? suggested drinking window?

Did the Pinot reserve sellout? X

This will drink well now, but will easily handle another five years at 55˚. This is a good price offering: it is $38 at the winery and best retail price is $25 a bottle. Personally, I much prefer Ty's Titanium blend over the varietal, but if you want Merlot this is a good one.

I can't pass this up even if I have to age it.

This is a great winery. I'm a member of their wine club and love everything from these guys. Unfortunately, I'm not a merlot drinker so haven't tried this and can't comment on this wine but I can say I've had a number of their cabs, PN, and blends and have never been dissapointed. I would expect their merlot would not dissapoint.

In for 1 got the Rocchus Red last month, good stuff, #4 buy today, hope this isn't a 3 day woot off, if so I'm in trouble.

For that last two months since joining I though "Cesare" was a bot...

pricejohnson wrote:This is a great winery. I'm a member of their wine club and love everything from these guys. Unfortunately, I'm not a merlot drinker so haven't tried this and can't comment on this wine but I can say I've had a number of their cabs, PN, and blends and have never been dissapointed. I would expect their merlot would not dissapoint.

Anything Ty is a must buy. I'm for two holding back waiting for Tytanium!!!

szecsei wrote:so it is drinking well now? no need to wait for it to settle down? or mature? or mellow? suggested drinking window?

According to the cellar tracker notes, the drinking window is now through 2016. I had the 2009 Upper Bench Merlot as a part of the Ty Caton 3 Bottle Mixed Red Sampler from 12/5/11 woot. I found the Upper Bench Merlot to have a deep plum and spice nodes with a touch of earthiness and paired well with dinner. If you like merlot, definitely a buy on top of the wine maker being Ty Caton.

pricejohnson wrote:This is a great winery. I'm a member of their wine club and love everything from these guys. Unfortunately, I'm not a merlot drinker so haven't tried this and can't comment on this wine but I can say I've had a number of their cabs, PN, and blends and have never been dissapointed. I would expect their merlot would not dissapoint.

I have a few of Ty Caton's wines stashed away, but I wasn't aware that Ty made Pinot Noir...

jwolent wrote:According to the cellar tracker notes, the drinking window is now through 2016. I had the 2009 Upper Bench Merlot as a part of the Ty Caton 3 Bottle Mixed Red Sampler from 12/5/11 woot. I found the Upper Bench Merlot to have a deep plum and spice nodes with a touch of earthiness and paired well with dinner. If you like merlot, definitely a buy on top of the wine maker being Ty Caton.

Awesome. I bought the three pack too, but haven't opened the merlot yet. CT notes are very thin (one user, rating of 88, no notes), so not much to go on there, but I do like Merlot and rarely see it as a single varietal offering on wine.woot, so in for one!


Current numbers (updated each minute)
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Did the Pinot Reserve sellout? X

Glad I still have a bottle of this from the mixed red set, keeps me from spending another $50.

I want semi-sweet Riesling, c'mon woot!

greggarcia wrote:I have a few of Ty Caton's wines stashed away, but I wasn't aware that Ty made Pinot Noir...

You're right. I meant to type PS but typed PN instead. That's what I get for drinking at work!

i am trying to talk myself out of this purchase...it might get delivered when i am away in march...maybe if i type slowly enough, there will be another wine on the block. must. type. slower.

[edit] it was still there...in for one. darn it! but on another note, i have been trying to follow up on my purchases (after i open a bottle), so i'll report back once i get my shipment and try it. of course, i don't have all of the lingo down, but i can at least mention my overall impressions.

tabednar wrote:For that last two months since going I though "Cesare" was a bot...

Nah...he's real, and looks suspiciously like his woot avatar...

tabednar wrote:For that last two months since going I though "Cesare" was a bot...

klezman wrote:Nah...he's real, and looks suspiciously like his woot avatar...

Actually, he is.

I have personally seen his wife change his batteries.

Passing because I don't like merlot enough (at least not $25/bottle enough), but just wanted to throw another gold star Ty's way. If you like merlot, you can't miss with this one, I've never had a bad bottle of Ty's juice...

That last bit sounded dirtier than I meant it to.

Wasn't what I meant for Ty offering! I still have Ty Merlot hanging around and I'm not much of a merlot fan.

greyday wrote:Passing because I don't like merlot enough (at least not $25/bottle enough), but just wanted to throw another gold star Ty's way. If you like merlot, you can't miss with this one, I've never had a bad bottle of Ty's juice...

Thanks for the kind words greyday!

greggarcia wrote:I have a few of Ty Caton's wines stashed away, but I wasn't aware that Ty made Pinot Noir...

I don't. But never say never....

hogfatt wrote:Wasn't what I meant for Ty offering! I still have Ty Merlot hanging around and I'm not much of a merlot fan.

I will open one of my merlot bottles next week and curse myself for not going in here. Such is life.

I recently opened my Merlot from the 3-pack offering. It has a classic Ty tasting profile, some cedar and vanilla over warm plum fruits. One of the better CA Merlot wines I've had in the last couple years, but if you're not a huge fan of Merlot, then I'd recommend waiting for something else of his. I think it will improve over the next couple years and gain depth, particularly on the midpalate. But again, if you don't like Merlot in general, wait for something else.

No offense Ty, just calling it like my taste buds say it.

tabednar wrote:For that last two months since joining I though "Cesare" was a bot...

He's just got mad skillz.

trifecta wrote:D&D weekend crew had this with dinner at the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen on Sunday night. If I remember correctly it was $36 at the tasting room. Went nicely with everything at dinner, and would say it goes much better with food rather than by itself. Others may chime in with their impressions.

In the tasting room I thought it was a little tight, and definitely a fuller body than I was expecting (I thought the pourer said 17% petite sirah instead of the syrah I see listed and was not surprised). It's good now, and will probably do well with a couple years. I enjoyed it more at dinner as well (some cheeses and pot roast). Basically, if you want something light and fruity to drink alone, this isn't it. If you're looking for something medium to full bodied to go with a dinner, it works really well and is pretty tasty.

Is this moreof a dry or sweet wine does anyone know?

fredrinaldi wrote:In for 1 got the Rocchus Red last month, good stuff, #4 buy today, hope this isn't a 3 day woot off, if so I'm in trouble.

Oh My Gookie! the Rockus Bockus! I hadn't opened a bottle yet from the Mixed Red 6 Pack when it was offered alone. But, folks here convinced me it'd be good so I ordered. I deeply regret that I just went in for one I sure hope it comes up during the woot off!

I'm on the fence when it comes to the Ty Caton merlot. I've never been dissapointed in the his wine. But, it's a little pricey for me.

tabednar wrote:For that last two months since joining I though "Cesare" was a bot...

He is, just one with a brain and beating heart ;)

fredrinaldi wrote:In for 1 got the Rocchus Red last month, good stuff, #4 buy today, hope this isn't a 3 day woot off, if so I'm in trouble.

I'm so glad I was out almost all day today. I have no money and no space, but also no control. Please, please end this today...

I probably missed it, but what's the occasion for this woot.off?

szecsei wrote:so it is drinking well now? no need to wait for it to settle down? or mature? or mellow? suggested drinking window?

It was drinking very well during dinner. No need to let it mature, but you can if you want to.

And this price is better than I get as a member of Ty's wine club!

North316 wrote:Glad I still have a bottle of this from the mixed red set, keeps me from spending another $50.

I want semi-sweet Riesling, c'mon woot!

Well in that case you need some of Ty Caton's George's Riesling...yum. You really can't miss with any of his stuff.
I too, however, fall into the "like other things before merlot" group although I have had this offering and it is quite tasty!

Woot Off!

I really hope Elevensance is available.... their Reggae Red is delicious.

It was interesting getting the club shipment today. I don't recall seeing the Carlton Brooke before.

Has anyone received any shipping info on this yet? I just received the Kent Rasmussen from the wootoff, but not even a tracking number for this...