Wine Flock - Global Merlot Introspective

Flock tasting to go through a wide range of Merlot from 12 different vintages. Plenty of diversity and some very good showings. In true blind tasting fashion - the young, richly styled wines (Pedestal, Switchback) showed well and stood out. But some of the older gems (Matanzas, Beringer and even a rarity from Ridge) had lots of vibrancy, life and complexity.

The Pedestal isn't a wine to be underestimated - lots of richness and oak - but there was an elegance and complexity to it as well - group's WOTN and consistently enjoyed. Matanzas and Beringer Bancroft both showed well and its clear why these are considered the best Cali Merlot in the 80s and 90s.

All wines served blind (double to guests). 1997 and younger opened and decanted ~2 hours prior to tasting. Older wines had <1 hour of air and quick double decant to remove sediment.

• 2006 Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay Vintner Select 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  An abundant, ripe and delicious Chard done in over-the-top Cali style. Has a soaring nose of white fruits, floral, spices and toasty. Palate is rich and very luscious with a creamy back palate and long fruit and toast filled finish. Well integrated and done very nicely within the style - but clearly not for everyone.

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• 2006 Sine Qua Non Autrement Dit 90 Points

  USA, California

  Effusive red fruits fill the glass. Medium bodied with lots of concentration and velvety mouth feel - still bright and lively. Delicious and everything you'd expect from a SQN rose.

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• 1999 Château Pavie Macquin 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Modest nose has currant fruit and toast. Medium-bodied palate starts out thin but gains weight and vibrancy. Good length - finishes with clean, fresh fruit. Fairly simple and unremarkable. My #12, Group #12.

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• 2004 Falesco Lazio Montiano 90 Points

  Italy, Latium, Lazio

  Initially reticent gains intensity with time. Primary aromas of black fruit and licorice dominate. Palate has fresh fruit but is tightly wound. Lots of acidic kick and verve as well as fruit - but not yet working together. One to hold and cellar. 3-4 points of upside with time. My #11, Group #8.

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• 1998 Château Pavie Decesse 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Open nose shows crushed berries, tar and violets. Medium-bodied palate has round, rich fruits matched by gritty tannins. Very good if a little forgettable for its middle of the road personality.

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• 1997 Paloma Merlot 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Penetrating nose has black fruit, berries, smoke and toast. Big, richly fruited wine has fine tannins to match. Bright and rich with layers of fruit and tannin. Intense long finish has spices and smoke. Tasty. My #5, Group #6.

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• 2001 Avignonesi Desiderio 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Tight, shy nose. Palate is round with rich dark fruit, tar and cedar spices. Well balanced with zingy acidity lifting the mid-palate. Medium length -- that should broaden out as it softens. Got better in the glass - I underrated it. 2-3 points of upside. My #10, Group #4.

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• 2003 Long Shadows Wineries Merlot Pedestal 95 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Huge, effusive nose has rich, chocolaty black fruit, toast and asian spices. Palate is loaded with round, rich, sweet black fruit - mocha, vanilla and more spices. Maintains a balanced and stays light across the mid-palate. Long, creamy staying finish adds notes of asphalt and tar. Super effort. My #1, Group #1.

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• 2002 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Aromatic with blackberry, anise and violets. Palate is rich, but elegant and smooth with very fine tannins. Sweet delicious, toasty fruit. Long and well balanced. My #4, Group #2.

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• 1992 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Open and complex nose shows tobacco leaf, cigar ash, smoke and black fruit. Palate has medium-to-lighter body - yet has richness and layers. Mature notes of cigar, tobacco leaf, green herbs compliment black cherry fruit. Totally delightful and with class and great length. My #7, Group #3. Another one I underrated. But time to drink up - bottles I had 2 years ago showed more intensity.

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• 1995 Château Monbousquet 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Delicious nose has smoke, tar, coffee - great complexity. Palate is smooth with fine tannin well integrated with medium-bodied fruit. Very smoky with charcoal, minerals and more coffee notes. Great purity and length. My #2, Groups #5.

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• 1991 Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot Sonoma Valley 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Mature, effusvie nose has aromas red fruits, iodine, herbs and some cedar. Bright, aged fruit on the palate picks up weight and richness but this is more about the tertiary earthy notes of herbs, minerals, underbrush. Very intriguing. Lingers on the palate. My #2, Group #5. The crowd was split on this one - but many were guessing 89/90 right bank Bordeaux. Matanzas merlots from the late 80's and early 90's are a real treat.

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• 1988 Château Clinet 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Aged dark fruit on the nose with herbs, smoke and green pepper. Palate is medium bodied with velvety fruit and zingy acidity providing lift. Well balanced - solid. My #9, Group #10.

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• 1993 Ridge Merlot York Creek 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Tight nose offers some black cherry with coaxing. Palate has medium bodied, rich black cherry fruit with cigar ash, tar and smoky notes. Fine tannin is well integrated but still offers grip on the back palate. A rarity from Ridge's ATP program. My #6, Group #11.

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Two 1996 Sauternes (Guiraud and de Fargues) showed ok. Fairly youthful and lighter in body. I preferred the de Fargues. No detailed notes.