This was a tremendous bottle of wine! Perfectly aged and in a wonderful place at the moment. Lots of dark chocolate and mint with dark berries and hints of tobacco as it opened up. Better than the 08 Cabernet or the Shiraz from Darioush!
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Certainly a lovely, full bodied and fruit forward wine. Velvety, and rich. Not a whole lot of nuance beyond that though. Probably will continue to evolve, or hold in this space for a couple more years, easily.
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Quite a bit tighter than I thought it would be. Very jammy. Hints of blackberry, smoke, currant and and some vanilla. Will try another bottle in 9-12 months to see what's changed.
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Vertical tasting with the 2009 using my new Coravin (too cool!). Dark purple with a little brown at the edge. Not as much fruit in the nose as the 2009, but still a very rich indication of what's to come. Ripe, rich berries and dark fruit, but more "merlot-like" than the 2009. Definitely more peppery spice than the 2009, which causes me to favor this with a bit, though it's a close call. Finish is long. A great merlot that, despite being truer to the variety, still drinks a lot like a great cab.
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Served at our holiday cocktail party. A crowd favorite and consistent with previous tasting notes. Decanted for 2 hours prior to serving. Drinking very well now, too bad we don't have any more.
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Agree on the cola, though I would not have come up with that on my own. I also get some mushroom and a little leather. Unique blend of fruit and tannin. OK to drink now, but will continue to improve. One of the best Merlots for the price!
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Probably my favorite Merlot to date. Very fruity! I got a mix of lychee and raspberry in the taste. Some darker characteristics showed in the aftertaste. Lingering finish with appropriate balance for at least 20 - 30 seconds.
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I really like this wine I taste black raspberry and cherry and tastes of chocolate, fennel and cola and will only get better until at least 2017 pair with a good steak I had it with mushroom ravioli with basil cream sauce (fantastic by the way I can post the recipe if anyone wants it) I ordered a whole case!
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3/19/2018 - Winegeek83 Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was a tremendous bottle of wine! Perfectly aged and in a wonderful place at the moment. Lots of dark chocolate and mint with dark berries and hints of tobacco as it opened up. Better than the 08 Cabernet or the Shiraz from Darioush!
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6/29/2017 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Certainly a lovely, full bodied and fruit forward wine. Velvety, and rich. Not a whole lot of nuance beyond that though. Probably will continue to evolve, or hold in this space for a couple more years, easily.
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2/18/2014 - TSTEW22 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Quite a bit tighter than I thought it would be. Very jammy.
Hints of blackberry, smoke, currant and and some vanilla. Will try another bottle in 9-12 months to see what's changed.
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1/19/2014 - Vino Monkeys Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great merlot. Extra cool because it's the first bottle I've used my Coravin on and it worked great!
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1/5/2014 - Vino Monkeys Likes this wine: 93 Points
Vertical tasting with the 2009 using my new Coravin (too cool!). Dark purple with a little brown at the edge. Not as much fruit in the nose as the 2009, but still a very rich indication of what's to come. Ripe, rich berries and dark fruit, but more "merlot-like" than the 2009. Definitely more peppery spice than the 2009, which causes me to favor this with a bit, though it's a close call. Finish is long. A great merlot that, despite being truer to the variety, still drinks a lot like a great cab.
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1/4/2014 - PinotPaul Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good Merlot. Wonderful nose of plum and leather. Well balanced with soft tannin. Long finish. Should have bought more. Drinking very well.
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12/20/2013 - csillabu Likes this wine: 92 Points
Served at our holiday cocktail party. A crowd favorite and consistent with previous tasting notes. Decanted for 2 hours prior to serving. Drinking very well now, too bad we don't have any more.
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2/14/2012 - Arkiefoodie wrote: 90 Points
Agree on the cola, though I would not have come up with that on my own. I also get some mushroom and a little leather. Unique blend of fruit and tannin. OK to drink now, but will continue to improve. One of the best Merlots for the price!
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1/1/2012 - VineWithClass Likes this wine: 92 Points
Probably my favorite Merlot to date. Very fruity! I got a mix of lychee and raspberry in the taste. Some darker characteristics showed in the aftertaste. Lingering finish with appropriate balance for at least 20 - 30 seconds.
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10/28/2011 - KeithSurg wrote: 92 Points
Nicely integrated nose and palate of plum, blueberry, spice and pepper. Medium-bodied, smooth finish. Great on its own or with food.
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10/26/2011 - whaaser wrote: 93 Points
I really like this wine I taste black raspberry and cherry and tastes of chocolate, fennel and cola and will only get better until at least 2017 pair with a good steak I had it with mushroom ravioli with basil cream sauce (fantastic by the way I can post the recipe if anyone wants it) I ordered a whole case!
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