Marilyn Wines

VELVET COLLECTION

"…the most talked about wine purchase of the season…the famous image has a protective vinyl overlay covering the starlet's assets…the wine is delicious - lush, full bodied, with many layers of flavor…"
San Diego Union Tribune, December 15, 2004

"According to the Wine Spectator magazine, the Marilyn Merlot brand is one of the fastest appreciating wine in the industry. And many believe the Velvet Collection could gain in value as well."

"I think it's nice, it's clever and it helps keep Marilyn's image alive,"
said Clark Kidder, who has written five books on Monroe's collectibles.
Los Angeles Times, October 15, 2004

"sex sells… features the famous "Red Velvet" nude photo of Marilyn Monroe on a peel-a-peek label, a first for the wine industry…to see all of her, you simply peel away the overlay"
The Wine Spectator, September 17, 2004

"swirl, sniff, sip- and ogle" thanks to a provocative new label from a
Napa Valley producer"
USA Today, October 8, 2004

"Wine with a classic and provocative Marilyn Monroe calendar photograph was introduced last month by Marilyn Wines of Napa Valley. Marilyn Wines' prior releases of Marilyn Merlot and Norma Jeane wines have consistently risen in value among connoisseurs and collectors, but this latest brand is also guaranteed to raise eyebrows.

In a wine industry first, Velvet Collection bottles feature a label with a unique overlay that covers certain areas of the photo with iridescent sparkles and it can be peeled away. Praised for the quality of their wines as much as the collectible concepts behind them.

Marilyn Wines' prior releases, which always sell out quickly, have been great wine investments for collectors. A 12-bottle vertical wine collection featuring one of each Marilyn Merlot released from 1985 through 1996 currently fetches $7,000. The Velvet Collection is expected to be even more collectable than prior lines due to the racy and unique nature of the labels, as well as the sealed packaging for each of the individually numbered, limited-edition 1.5 liter bottles to be released with a retail prices around $225."

Patterson's Beverage Journal, November 2004

Featured on CNN Headline News on October 4, 2004

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MARILYN MERLOT

2004:	The 2004 vintage is the 20th for Marilyn Merlot, and I finally took the plunge and tasted it. The verdict: a very nice merlot that, at $26, isn't cheap, but it's fairly reasonable by Napa Valley and collectible wine standards. The wine is firmly structured and displays ripe black cherry flavors accented by notes of anise, mint and cedar. It's a little more angular than the star it celebrates, but it should get softer and fleshier with a year or two more in the bottle. The grapes come from a couple of prime vineyards in the heart of the valley.
	Laurie Daniel in the San Jose Mercury News
	Most serious wine lovers, myself included, have disregarded this wine as a gimmick. Much to my surprise, it is not. It's real wine, and it's really tasty. The color is like ruby velvet. The aroma is a big bouquet of flowery ripe fruit. The taste is quintessential soft Napa Merlot. No straight lines. All curves.
	Mark Tarbell, The Arizona Republic
	This is what at a merlot should be. It's soft supple and smooth. It has full, round flavors of chocolate, raspberries, and blueberries. it would go well with a meal or without. It somehow tasted classy.
	Dan and Krista Starkman, Indianapolis Journal Gazette
	But never mind Marilyn, how about the wine? ...the new edition sells at the winery for a more affordable $26 for a standard bottle, and I find it competitive if not head-and-shoulders above the competition at that price point.
	Robin Garr, WineLoversPage.com
	This vintage is a wine with legs and at the price of $26, one does not need to 'Marry a Millionaire' to enjoy it.
	Jack Heeger, Napa Register
	It makes a party better when you bring a surprise like Marilyn Merlot to the table. Your friends will likely be happy to be introduced to something so clever and so good.
	Fifi Chao, Orange County Business Journal
2003:	87pts (One Puff) 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fairly outgoing in fruit and helped along by suggestions of chocolate and sweet oak, this supple, nicely balanced Merlot is firmed by a light bit of finishing tannin but is built in a buxom, generally accessible style that invites early drinking. Admittedly on the showy side, Marilyn has done well with her well-endowed Merlots.
	Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
	"…we tried a wine that we've been wanting to try for years - Marilyn Merlot... It turns out it's worth the price, label or not. This is what a merlot should be. It's soft and supple and smooth. It has full, round flavors of chocolate, raspberries and blueberries.
	FortWayne.com
2000:	90pts (One Puff) "For a label that has as much to do with attention-getting as it has ever had with the delivery of quality wine, Marilyn has certainly busted out all over in this vintage. The wine is deep and ripe with supple, almost fleshy feel, and her big, frontal character is trim in the middle from a well-placed dollop of balancing acids leading to lingering and oh-so inviting finish. This version of Marilyn succeeds despite a bit of coarseness at the end."
	Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
1999:	"Some like it hot, but those who'd prefer to lock their lips around Marilyn Merlot, a Napa Valley, California wine that tastes best at room temperature…is ‘soft and luscious' and gets more coveted with age."
1998:	"Another stunning label of Marilyn Merlot and the wine is just as appealing; a customer favorite with plenty of ripe blackberry flavors and a smooth finish."
	Beverage Dynamics, Retailer Wine Tastings, www.beveragenet.net
	"I found even more to praise in the 1998 Marilyn merlot than I did an earlier vintage…The aroma is earthy and slightly viny…the wine expands and improves its flavor as it breaths…The wine itself is medium bodied…there is a good deal of complexity and warmth here."
	Justin A. Busch, The World of Wine @pulsetc.com
1997:	"…in the U.S. consider the name of the top-selling California red: Marilyn Merlot. Featuring the famous actress with her face half-covered by a red chiffon veil and wearing little else, …is a blend of 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc grown the in Napa Valley. Though gentlemen are suppose to prefer blondes, current U.S. figures indicate reds…"
	Financial Mail, Arts & Leisure, www.fm.co.
1996:	: "Every seven years or so I get an itch, and nothing can cure it like a luscious Merlot. If its name is Marilyn, so much the better…Some gentlemen prefer blondes, but I'll take the velvet Napa fruit and suave finish of this luscious red any day."
	Anthony Dias Blue, wine and spirits editor, Bon Appetit.
1993:	"A graceful and feminine red. Supple but medium-bodied with an explosion of berry and velvety plum flavors."
	Details Magazine, February. 1996
	"The1993 vintage of Marilyn Merlot, a wine that is becoming a collector's item, is appearing in a few shops…"
	New York Times, May 31, 1995
	"Moderately full in body (and dare we say, voluptuous), it is at once both mouth filling and slightly tough."
	Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, 1993
1991:	"It's a little tart and very full bodied."
	Chicago Tribune, August 27, 1992
1990:	"Ripe and spicy…generous blackberry, raspberry and currant aromas and flavors. Shows a burst of flavor and smoothly integrated tannins on the finish."
	The Wine Spectator
1989:	"Lean and lively, with a nice core of raspberry and currant flavors. Finishes smoothly and inviting; makes you want another sip."
	The Wine Spectator, May 31, 1992
	"Toast glamour with Marilyn Merlot, a red wine from Napa Valley."
	Parade Magazine, November. 14, 1993
	Silver Medal winner 1993 Orange County Fair Wine Competition
1988:	"Soft, ripe and generous with lots of blackberry and currant aromas…"
	The Wine Spectator
1987:	"Finishes smooth and inviting, makes you want another sip."
	The Wine Spectator, May 31, 1992
	"…The best full bodied red of 1987. At this time, Marilyn Merlot is available only at upscale vino emporiums in California and New York. A very good reason for a trip to the Coasts."
	Playboy, July 1988
	"A wine with great legs…The full bodied, red varietal backing up the equal full bodied image of Hollywood's former sex goddess."
	Los Angeles Times, February 5, 1990
1986:	"This is one wine that can truly claim to be seductive."
	The Wine Spectator, December. 31, 1988

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NORMA JEANE

2005

What about a collectable Merlot for gift giving? Look for Norma Jeane. The 2005 Nova Wines Norma Jeane California Merlot ($10) is adorned with a picture of young Marilyn Monroe and every vintage sports a different image. (A more expensive version from the same producer is dubbed Marilyn Merlot.) This Merlot is remarkably complex for the price, serving up a lush texture and deep, dark fruit flavors. After a few sips, you might not want to give it away.

Leslie Sbrocco, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Marilyn Wines Marilyn Cabernet Sauvignon

GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE MARILYN WINES

"Marilyn Merlot bottles always get attention in a wine shop. The winery's past and future has many similarities to the woman on the label. The wine itself is very good and the lady that it represents made the winery and wine what it is today. The Marilyn Merlot wines have had a successful track record with the wines going up in value every year."
thewinehaus.com, July/August 2001

"By far the most expensive wine is perhaps the one you'd least expect, Marilyn Merlot. The 2001 Marilyn Merlot Napa offers a simple medley of berry fruit flavors and is nowhere near the elite from this tremendous vintage. Still, the allure of the famous actress—who is featured in different poses on the label each year—has resulted in one amazing following. The 1985 Merlot sells for $3,500 a bottle, and a vertical case from 1985 to 1996 costs $7,000. The last time I checked most Napa 1985s were selling for a fraction of what Marilyn commands, which goes to show you can't judge a wine by its winery."
James Laube, The Wine Spectator, November. 30, 2003

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