Opened a bottle last night at the Wine Watch and first thought the wine was passed its prime. After about 30 minutes, this Merlot opened up and the fruit came forward of dark red cherry, fully integrated tannins, hint of leather, some earth and a delicious merlot showing its age. It reminds me of a well aged Right Bank Bordeaux and not a California fruit bomb. This is a great wine from a great producer from a great year and it has aged well but drink it soon and give it decant and filter
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Very fully integrated and balanced alcohol and oak, and it’s begun developing more tertiary flavors. I’ve had some other 90s Napa merlots (Beringer Bancroft) that have been more tannic this was. The wine had a nice acidity that went well with the steak dinner. Drank alongside a 2007 Frank Family Cabernet, which was good, but noticeably sweeter and more extracted. I think it was almost a dead ringer for st emilion merlot. This is a wine that is at peak for my taste preferences. Sad that I do not have another bottle.
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Decided this would be a fun bottle to open for the small NY Eve party. Decanted for about 3 hrs before drinking. Definitely nearing the end of its life, but still a delicious treat. Lovely brick red, the fruit was very moderated -- definitely an earth-heavy wine at this point. I was sorry to see the bottle end.
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This wine is over the hill. If you have any left I suggest you drink up. The earlier bottles I had weren't bad but I just think it is over the hill at this point.
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Medicinal bandaid on the nose and following through on the finish. Clearly a flawed bottle. Such a shame, the previous bottle we purchased at the winery was delicious.
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Gather round children......if you have this wine thank your lucky stars, I don't....so I hate u. Drank this tonight blind with our weekly wine group, brought by a member. Most of us guessed bordeaux, I went right bank...... and then quickly into hiding after it was revealed. I swore there was a good dose of merlot in this wine since it has some sweet red fruit. Delicious, beautiful nose of red fruit and leather, the oak is gone, tannins smooth, secondary characteristics, stored pristine since purchase. I drink napa young, but has made me thinking otherwise. I am going to let all mine age u should to!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Tasted at winery – medium ruby red with bricking rim. Developed sweet and pungent nose of stewed red cherries, soy sauce and worn leather. Very nice. Flavours of red fruits, tobacco and earthy notes. Silky mouth feel. Medium body, medium acidity, well integrated tannins and a long finish. This wine is ready to go but no rush. Excellent.
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Loved this bottle earlier. It actually still had some of the complexities that I enjoyed. Underlying cherry and oak with a slight toasty notes. Wish I had consumed this bottle earlier.
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Lots of sediment, left about an inch and a half of wine in the bottom. Bright color. Was on the downside, but still had a hints of tasty wine. Finish was clipped.
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Cherries, earth, black pepper and prunes. Soft elegant finish. Surprising still very much alive but quickly fading in the glass. Drink up. 14% alcohol.
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Tasting note from memory. This 97 Merlot has peaked, and is missing all it’s vibrant fruit from its youth. Showing little aromatics on opening, it did open up somewhat after 45 minutes. A solid Shafer with significantly receding fruit.
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I nice but unremarkable merlot for the evening. Decent fruit, some earth and a little twang of tannin.
Dinner however, was stellar!!
Grilled pork tenderloin with a reduction of star anise, cinnamon, onion, apple cider and chicken stock. Served with fresh squash from the garden, it hit the spot on the first rainy day Seattle has seen in months.
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Almost no nose, and certainly not enough to comment on good or bad odors. Firm tannins and reasonable fruit. I was expecting something much better. This is just wine. Roll the dice and try again in 2006
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2/6/2021 - aerosol Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened a bottle last night at the Wine Watch and first thought the wine was passed its prime. After about 30 minutes, this Merlot opened up and the fruit came forward of dark red cherry, fully integrated tannins, hint of leather, some earth and a delicious merlot showing its age. It reminds me of a well aged Right Bank Bordeaux and not a California fruit bomb. This is a great wine from a great producer from a great year and it has aged well but drink it soon and give it decant and filter
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11/29/2020 - Margaux Bro Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very fully integrated and balanced alcohol and oak, and it’s begun developing more tertiary flavors. I’ve had some other 90s Napa merlots (Beringer Bancroft) that have been more tannic this was. The wine had a nice acidity that went well with the steak dinner. Drank alongside a 2007 Frank Family Cabernet, which was good, but noticeably sweeter and more extracted. I think it was almost a dead ringer for st emilion merlot. This is a wine that is at peak for my taste preferences. Sad that I do not have another bottle.
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9/24/2020 - Redwinetaster Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just opened a cellared bottle last night.
Still absolutely delicious.
Powerful and scrumptious wine...still.
Have a few more bottles.
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4/26/2011 - dannyk8232 wrote: 90 Points
Drinking well (from Mag). Not a ton of oomph...but great.
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12/31/2010 - Bender Bending Rodriguez wrote: 91 Points
Decided this would be a fun bottle to open for the small NY Eve party. Decanted for about 3 hrs before drinking. Definitely nearing the end of its life, but still a delicious treat. Lovely brick red, the fruit was very moderated -- definitely an earth-heavy wine at this point. I was sorry to see the bottle end.
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5/10/2010 - rpenn77 wrote: 82 Points
This wine is over the hill. If you have any left I suggest you drink up. The earlier bottles I had weren't bad but I just think it is over the hill at this point.
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12/20/2009 - psoals wrote: flawed
Medicinal bandaid on the nose and following through on the finish. Clearly a flawed bottle. Such a shame, the previous bottle we purchased at the winery was delicious.
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7/5/2009 - Berno wrote: 92 Points
This isn't going to get any better in the bottle. Classic styled Merlot from a great year in Napa.
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5/24/2009 - robertgoulet wrote:
sorry folks this note below was intended for the 97 shafer cabernet...my bad, my have been drunk when I wrote this...not sure......but probable :)
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5/23/2009 - robertgoulet wrote: 92 Points
Gather round children......if you have this wine thank your lucky stars, I don't....so I hate u. Drank this tonight blind with our weekly wine group, brought by a member. Most of us guessed bordeaux, I went right bank...... and then quickly into hiding after it was revealed. I swore there was a good dose of merlot in this wine since it has some sweet red fruit. Delicious, beautiful nose of red fruit and leather, the oak is gone, tannins smooth, secondary characteristics, stored pristine since purchase. I drink napa young, but has made me thinking otherwise. I am going to let all mine age u should to!!!!!!!!!!!!
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3/19/2009 - godx wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at winery – medium ruby red with bricking rim. Developed sweet and pungent nose of stewed red cherries, soy sauce and worn leather. Very nice. Flavours of red fruits, tobacco and earthy notes. Silky mouth feel. Medium body, medium acidity, well integrated tannins and a long finish. This wine is ready to go but no rush. Excellent.
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3/1/2009 - cmclean wrote: 90 Points
Fully mature, not a food wine, but for sipping it's very pretty, drink now. Floral, redberries, medium bodied, still nice acids.
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3/1/2008 - RedWineReviews wrote: 89 Points
Loved this bottle earlier. It actually still had some of the complexities that I enjoyed. Underlying cherry and oak with a slight toasty notes. Wish I had consumed this bottle earlier.
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11/23/2007 - MagnumGourmet wrote:
Lots of sediment, left about an inch and a half of wine in the bottom. Bright color. Was on the downside, but still had a hints of tasty wine. Finish was clipped.
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11/22/2007 - Mark wrote: 89 Points
No tasting note recorded. This bottle was considerably better than my previous tasting last year. Significantly more fruit.
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11/17/2007 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
While not a big Merlot fan this one is suuper and the 97 was one of the best ever...
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11/4/2007 - jivey wrote: 89 Points
Vanilla tones with blue fruits, still alive but seems to be fading in the glass.
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11/4/2007 - kstoddard wrote: 90 Points
Cherries, earth, black pepper and prunes. Soft elegant finish. Surprising still very much alive but quickly fading in the glass. Drink up. 14% alcohol.
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3/10/2006 - Mark wrote: 87 Points
Tasting note from memory. This 97 Merlot has peaked, and is missing all it’s vibrant fruit from its youth. Showing little aromatics on opening, it did open up somewhat after 45 minutes. A solid Shafer with significantly receding fruit.
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12/11/2004 - buckeye76 wrote: 91 Points
NICE FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES AND CURRANTS WITH A TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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8/21/2004 - BradA wrote: 88 Points
I nice but unremarkable merlot for the evening. Decent fruit, some earth and a little twang of tannin.
Dinner however, was stellar!!
Grilled pork tenderloin with a reduction of star anise, cinnamon, onion, apple cider and chicken stock. Served with fresh squash from the garden, it hit the spot on the first rainy day Seattle has seen in months.
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1/2/2004 - PaulH wrote: 83 Points
Almost no nose, and certainly not enough to comment on good or bad odors. Firm tannins and reasonable fruit. I was expecting something much better. This is just wine. Roll the dice and try again in 2006
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5/16/2003 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
CHERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRIES AND PLUMS IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
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