Double Dog Dare Merlot
Price: $3.33
Maker: Double Dog Dare Cellars, Ripon, California
Varietal: Merlot
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 13%
Our Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Most wine drinkers might not be excited by a new $3 wine, but here at Box Wines we are always on the lookout for great wine values. Double Dog Dare Merlot (non-vintage) looked very promising - a $3.33 price tag, making it just about the least expensive bottle in the shop, and a marketing approach that ’s a bit more clever than most of the low-end wines. The label shows a smiling canine leaping through a flaming hoop. The wine, unfortunately, was perhaps not bad for $3 but was not particularly good. The nose had licorice and spice elements. The flavor was dominated by the earthy plum notes that we associate with very low-end merlots and cabs, and there was a sharpness in the finish that breathing didn’t entirely cure.
Cute label, ultra-cheap price… it’s too bad that Double Dog Dare Merlot didn’t quite measure up on the palate. For about the same price, we like Two Buck Chuck Merlot a bit more - it had better fruit and was not quite as harsh. Overall, we’d recommend stepping up a few bucks per bottle and getting a better Australian or California Merlot. A couple that come to mind are Bohemian Highway Merlot at about $6, Barefoot Merlot for $5, or the oaky Forest Glen Merlot that retails for about $9 but can periodically be found in the $5 range. If you do try Double Dog Dare Merlot, do give it plenty of air - we did notice improved balance and a slightly smoother finish after an hour or more of breathing.
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July 8th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Doesn’t sound like a box wine….
November 17th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
My friends and I love the Double Dog Dare Merlot.
But we hae trouble finding it in Minnesota dn Wisconsin. Can you tell us of some retailers around the Twin Cities that carry your wines?
Thank you
November 27th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Need to know where we can purchase Double Dog Dare Merlot in southern California - Inland Empire (Redlands, San Bernardino, Riverside). We have only been able to find in North Dakota.
January 12th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Every once in a while I take a chance on a lower priced bottle of wine. I was intregued by the title of this wine. However, the title and the label design is the only thing going for this wine. I’m very glad that I only spent $4.00 for this wine. But then even that was a waste. While it hadn’t turned, I’m not sure there would be any difference. It was harsh, had little aroma and miserable aftertoons. Please don’t waste even $2.00 on this wine. Splurge and buy a Lindeman’s or Barefoot. A far better investment for only a few dollars more
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 am
This is for the Boonsfarm market & is actually wine. No one who really appreciates wine should buy it, but for the ecomically challenged folks double dog dare brands are a signifant upgrade from similar priced competitors.
Unward and upward for these guys!