Fresh raspberry and plum fruits. Creamy vanilla. Lively, fruit forward, with supple tannin. Nicely made, pleasant wine. Drinking well now, and not one I'd keep for much longer.
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Easy going, fruit forward, relatively high acidity. Juicy plummy fruit, touch of wood spice, and supple tannin makes it an easy wine to drink. Probably a crowd pleaser at a casual party, or a weekday evening wine.
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tres riche et parfumé notes de mures,bleuets,épices en bouche c est anis qui domine avec un beau fruit bleuets acidité un peu faible tannins velouté et un tres belle longueur en bouche qui ramene l anis au premier plan.
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Semi opaque purple/crimson to the rim....poured through a vinturi. Some dark fruit on the nose yet more reserved on the palate with hints of spice and and an oakey sharp finish. The wine feels light and watery. Not a lush merlot. May be past it's prime but I ha e nothing to judge it against. Mediocre at best.
Thought this would be a lot more ready. Even so, it was pretty darn good. Nice chocolate and dried fruit flavors. Tasted more like a Meritage than a Merlot. So what? Medium body, fairly long finish with a nice amount of complexity. Serious effort by they winery. Pretty good juice!
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Aroma was poor upon opening and the taste was a bit harsh for a Merlot. I don't believe it was a bad bottle, I believe it just didn't hit my expectations. The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There was no sediment in the bottle.
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Haven't had a merlot for a while so interested in trying this one. Pretty soft, high on the fruit and perhaps alcohol seemed a bit overpresent. Nonetheless, I liked the plummy fruit and the soft fleshy palate.
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This wine improved dramatically with lots of time. Like on the third day it was fully open and showing very well. Normally after two days, a red is going, going, gone.
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This was a very nice merlot that we enjoyed with dinner. Decanted, reticent nose, medium body, with a nice finish. Drink now or within next few years. GOOD.
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Interesting nose with some secondary notes of sour mint, chocolate. Palette has sweet and sour theme to it, medium plus tannins, several layers in here, pretty unique style.
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I often prefer Californian merlot to cabernet; with the exceptions of some great Napa cabs merlot shows more complexity and depth. Washington may be another story, but at least it was the reason I was looking for merlot. In a way, it is a smaller, weaker brother from the North. Which is not necessarily bad. Flavor from the glass is pure ripe black current, clear, pronounced, but not overwhelming or mesmerizing. It is still a flavor of wine. On taste it feels a little bit too acidic. Finish is oaky. I do not find it over the board, although I would expect a little more fruit involvement. What I appreciate in this wine is that it feels delicate. Maybe there is not much to deliver, but it tries hard to make it in high class manner.
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Good color, a dark ruby-garnet. Nice bouquet reminiscent of fruit. Good flavors, with a solid dark cherry / cola flavor. Balanced tannins, acid, and alcohol. Lingering finish of plum. This is a great drinker, either by itself, or with steak (which brings out more of the cherry cola flavors).
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This wine is "medium." (You'll see what I mean after you review my tasting notes). In the glass, medium-ruby. On the nose, ripe plums and cherries. On the palate, medium-bodied with the same plums and cherries, black currants, oak and a healthy dose of vanilla. Medium-length finish. A shade better than the H3 Merlot from the same vintage, but at almost twice the price. A tasty wine, but lacking complexity. Detected little improvement after exposure to air; so I would drink up now. Very good QPR.
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We opened this after the skunk bottle of Clos Du Bois (see previous review). My wife and I both liked this wine but I'm not scoring as we both are getting over colds, so difficult to discern specific aromas and flavors. For the price, this seems like a good QPR, so recommend it. GOOD.
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After reading all of the high user ratings on this Merlot, I was really excited to try my first bottle. I've got to say I was quite disappointed. I've had some true 90's Merlots and this one wasn't in the same league. Although it does have some fruitiness, I found it to be a bit watered down with a very strong mineral undercurrent. This provides a lasting aftertaste that is not pleasant. I expected a big bold Merlot and this was not the case. To each his own I guess, but this one will not be a repurchase even at the $16 price paid for it.
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With aromas and flavors of dried cherries, black currants, sage and crushed rock, this deep crimson wine does not disappoint. It is fresh, medium-bodied and supported by medium fine-grained tannins. The alcohol (listed as 13.6%) is in harmony with the other structural elements, resulting in a well-proportioned wine which is more reminiscent of Pomerol than Columbia Valley. The middle palate is solid and leads to a lengthy, smooth finish. This is an elegant, feminine wine which should dispel any preconceived ideas that Merlot from the New World is not to be taken seriously. Drink now-12/19.
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I remember their 2007 Cab reserve and it was fabulous, so we bought 2 of these just to see if WS was right. "Sideways" said Merlot was not a fave wine of anyone right? Opened and let air for 5 minutes, We had this with home grown fajitas, and from the first taste, still can't believe it's Merlot. Never had a Merlot like this! Wow. Still swear it's a BIG cab. Fruit, fruit and more fruit, and a long dreamy finish. Every once in a while a wine like this comes along. Enjoy!
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A bit too soft and sweet, as if aiming for the broadest appeal among non wine drinkers, with decent acidity layering the bright red fruit before finishing a little short.. Still, this seems well made for what it is and I think it would be well received in a situation where the wine is not going to be the focal point of attention.
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Cherries and nicely proportioned oak on the nose, opened up after 1 hour and definitely better on the second night. Palette is exceptionally well rounded sweet fruits drying slightly into the mid palette, good complexity and body for a Merlot. Medium long in the mouth, tannins very soft. Great wine at the $21 price point, I can see why it made the WS list.
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Unplug and glug. Purple color. Creosote aromas. Velvety entry. Palate of plums, chocolate and a an extended whip of black licorice. The flavors are layered like cake frosting, without the sweetness. Fans out on mid-palate and has a lingering finish. This has the balance of a gymnast. Spherical in the mouth. I'd buy this again for $20. This is the best merlot I've had in a while.
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Nice garnet/purple opening with plums and cocoa. More cherry/plum in the mouth with notes of a smokey wood fire; somewhat heavy on the tongue like a cream. Medium finish.
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1/3/2016 - moods wrote: 87 Points
Fresh raspberry and plum fruits. Creamy vanilla. Lively, fruit forward, with supple tannin. Nicely made, pleasant wine. Drinking well now, and not one I'd keep for much longer.
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9/8/2015 - moods wrote: 87 Points
Easy going, fruit forward, relatively high acidity. Juicy plummy fruit, touch of wood spice, and supple tannin makes it an easy wine to drink. Probably a crowd pleaser at a casual party, or a weekday evening wine.
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7/28/2015 - bsouligny Likes this wine: 92 Points
tres riche et parfumé notes de mures,bleuets,épices en bouche c est anis qui domine avec un beau fruit bleuets acidité un peu faible tannins velouté et un tres belle longueur en bouche qui ramene l anis au premier plan.
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12/26/2014 - jperez68 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Smooth fruity merlot dry and not very complex . Again Im a cab fan so merlots are not my favs, but this one was very well blended.
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10/31/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 88 Points
Semi opaque purple/crimson to the rim....poured through a vinturi. Some dark fruit on the nose yet more reserved on the palate with hints of spice and and an oakey sharp finish. The wine feels light and watery. Not a lush merlot. May be past it's prime but I ha e nothing to judge it against. Mediocre at best.
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8/11/2014 - brujazz wrote: 90 Points
Thought this would be a lot more ready. Even so, it was pretty darn good. Nice chocolate and dried fruit flavors. Tasted more like a Meritage than a Merlot. So what? Medium body, fairly long finish with a nice amount of complexity. Serious effort by they winery. Pretty good juice!
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8/9/2014 - ABM Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very well balanced, dark fruit, smooth finish!
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7/27/2014 - Eric.Sheffler Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Aroma was poor upon opening and the taste was a bit harsh for a Merlot. I don't believe it was a bad bottle, I believe it just didn't hit my expectations.
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There was no sediment in the bottle.
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6/16/2014 - Twinkles wrote: 91 Points
Really enjoyed this. Well integrated oak, some prunes. Silky.
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5/16/2014 - EdKz@comcast.net wrote: 87 Points
Less distinguished than my last bottle
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5/11/2014 - moods wrote: 86 Points
Haven't had a merlot for a while so interested in trying this one. Pretty soft, high on the fruit and perhaps alcohol seemed a bit overpresent. Nonetheless, I liked the plummy fruit and the soft fleshy palate.
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4/25/2014 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good. Really opened up after an hour and became quite nice. Fruity, great balance. very smooth
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2/8/2014 - Twinkles wrote: 90 Points
Berry jam on the nose, nicely integrated oak. Lingering finish, not too hot. I like this.
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1/2/2014 - mattlennert Likes this wine: 89 Points
This wine improved dramatically with lots of time. Like on the third day it was fully open and showing very well. Normally after two days, a red is going, going, gone.
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1/1/2014 - joet626 wrote: 87 Points
Very average. Not a lot of fruit. Was dull and boring.
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12/22/2013 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was a very nice merlot that we enjoyed with dinner. Decanted, reticent nose, medium body, with a nice finish. Drink now or within next few years. GOOD.
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10/21/2013 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was very nice. Fruity and very smooth--surprisingly so for 2009. Still has plenty left. Really liked it.
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10/5/2013 - Twinkles wrote: 90 Points
Impressive. Oaky. Had this after a Ridge Geyserville and held its own. Balanced wine. Fairly intense for a merlot.
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8/18/2013 - cmcclane wrote: 89 Points
Overall good though a bit too much acidity.
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7/17/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
Interesting nose with some secondary notes of sour mint, chocolate. Palette has sweet and sour theme to it, medium plus tannins, several layers in here, pretty unique style.
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5/19/2013 - OlegE wrote: 88 Points
I often prefer Californian merlot to cabernet; with the exceptions of some great Napa cabs merlot shows more complexity and depth. Washington may be another story, but at least it was the reason I was looking for merlot. In a way, it is a smaller, weaker brother from the North. Which is not necessarily bad. Flavor from the glass is pure ripe black current, clear, pronounced, but not overwhelming or mesmerizing. It is still a flavor of wine. On taste it feels a little bit too acidic. Finish is oaky. I do not find it over the board, although I would expect a little more fruit involvement. What I appreciate in this wine is that it feels delicate. Maybe there is not much to deliver, but it tries hard to make it in high class manner.
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5/17/2013 - Jeirich wrote: 91 Points
big for a merlot. Delicious oak, cinnamon, vanilla -- still fairly chewy tannins but nice long finish
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4/30/2013 - SMZ wrote: 90 Points
Great quality vs the price. Good solid wine.
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4/26/2013 - Tim221 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good color, a dark ruby-garnet. Nice bouquet reminiscent of fruit. Good flavors, with a solid dark cherry / cola flavor. Balanced tannins, acid, and alcohol. Lingering finish of plum. This is a great drinker, either by itself, or with steak (which brings out more of the cherry cola flavors).
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4/8/2013 - Dagalaifus Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine is "medium." (You'll see what I mean after you review my tasting notes). In the glass, medium-ruby. On the nose, ripe plums and cherries. On the palate, medium-bodied with the same plums and cherries, black currants, oak and a healthy dose of vanilla. Medium-length finish. A shade better than the H3 Merlot from the same vintage, but at almost twice the price. A tasty wine, but lacking complexity. Detected little improvement after exposure to air; so I would drink up now. Very good QPR.
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3/24/2013 - BigTex22 Likes this wine:
We opened this after the skunk bottle of Clos Du Bois (see previous review). My wife and I both liked this wine but I'm not scoring as we both are getting over colds, so difficult to discern specific aromas and flavors. For the price, this seems like a good QPR, so recommend it. GOOD.
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3/22/2013 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 89 Points
A complex merlot for cabernet lovers.... Pleasant bouquet that intensified over the first hour as the wine opened up nicely...
Good Value at $18
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3/18/2013 - aruddy wrote: 86 Points
Toasted oak, very little fruit, more toasted oak. Wine Spectator got this one wrong, did I mention toasted oak?
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2/25/2013 - ghoztly Does not like this wine: 84 Points
After reading all of the high user ratings on this Merlot, I was really excited to try my first bottle. I've got to say I was quite disappointed. I've had some true 90's Merlots and this one wasn't in the same league. Although it does have some fruitiness, I found it to be a bit watered down with a very strong mineral undercurrent. This provides a lasting aftertaste that is not pleasant. I expected a big bold Merlot and this was not the case. To each his own I guess, but this one will not be a repurchase even at the $16 price paid for it.
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2/22/2013 - JRagsdale Does not like this wine: 83 Points
No mid palate. A big softball on first night. Was not a fan. Vacuumed it and was much better the second night. Better, not great.
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2/10/2013 - pbard Likes this wine: 92 Points
The Merlot for folks that pay too much attention to quotes from movies...
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2/10/2013 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 92 Points
With aromas and flavors of dried cherries, black currants, sage and crushed rock, this deep crimson wine does not disappoint. It is fresh, medium-bodied and supported by medium fine-grained tannins. The alcohol (listed as 13.6%) is in harmony with the other structural elements, resulting in a well-proportioned wine which is more reminiscent of Pomerol than Columbia Valley. The middle palate is solid and leads to a lengthy, smooth finish. This is an elegant, feminine wine which should dispel any preconceived ideas that Merlot from the New World is not to be taken seriously. Drink now-12/19.
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1/19/2013 - sequimcrab Likes this wine: 93 Points
I remember their 2007 Cab reserve and it was fabulous, so we bought 2 of these just to see if WS was right. "Sideways" said Merlot was not a fave wine of anyone right?
Opened and let air for 5 minutes, We had this with home grown fajitas, and from the first taste, still can't believe it's Merlot. Never had a Merlot like this! Wow. Still swear it's a BIG cab. Fruit, fruit and more fruit, and a long dreamy finish. Every once in a while a wine like this comes along. Enjoy!
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1/11/2013 - TKS9 wrote: 88 Points
A bit too soft and sweet, as if aiming for the broadest appeal among non wine drinkers, with decent acidity layering the bright red fruit before finishing a little short.. Still, this seems well made for what it is and I think it would be well received in a situation where the wine is not going to be the focal point of attention.
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12/16/2012 - qwerty2 wrote: 90 Points
Such a pleasure to encounter this lovely Merlot. Solid body, and interesting smoky hints, among the fruits.
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12/14/2012 - pbard wrote: 92 Points
Cherries and nicely proportioned oak on the nose, opened up after 1 hour and definitely better on the second night. Palette is exceptionally well rounded sweet fruits drying slightly into the mid palette, good complexity and body for a Merlot. Medium long in the mouth, tannins very soft. Great wine at the $21 price point, I can see why it made the WS list.
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12/4/2012 - FlyingRon wrote: 88 Points
3/5/4/1/1 purple color to rim, bright, cherry aroma, very plain cherry taste, short aftertaste.
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11/23/2012 - swade wrote: 91 Points
Unplug and glug. Purple color. Creosote aromas. Velvety entry. Palate of plums, chocolate and a an extended whip of black licorice. The flavors are layered like cake frosting, without the sweetness. Fans out on mid-palate and has a lingering finish. This has the balance of a gymnast. Spherical in the mouth. I'd buy this again for $20. This is the best merlot I've had in a while.
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10/27/2012 - smphelps wrote: 88 Points
Nice garnet/purple opening with plums and cocoa. More cherry/plum in the mouth with notes of a smokey wood fire; somewhat heavy on the tongue like a cream. Medium finish.
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10/10/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Brighter and fresher than I remember it being. Pretty straight ahead. A bit over at $25 but it is definately well made.
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