It took a few minutes in the glass to open up, but this is a nicely maturing Merlot. It paired nicely with a baked Cornish game hen with a cherry/port glaze and wild rice.
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This is maturing nicely. Bass line of dark chocolate and black cherry with cedar and soy sauce overlaid. Very open nose. Packing a lot of depth on the palate. Starts with black fruits and fresh acidity, then rounded texture, and finishing with firm tannin and dark chocolate. This should keep progressing for at least several more years. But it's in a good place now--depends on how you like 'em I guess.
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Very dark ruby color. The wine seemed to have had over oxidation in the bottle and at the first hour or so smelled oxidized, but later on opened up to some cherry and oak aromas.Very concentrated and still somewhat prominent tannins. Good balance and finish. I did not score it as I was not sure if my bottle was not really somewhat flawed.
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Bought this at the winery and remember thinking that this was really striking merlot. Fairly typical WA merlot nose with slightly herb-tinged cherry and chocolate with a touch of chalkiness. Nice and lively in the mouth with bright cherry and rhubarb and other notes adding a great deal of complexity. Long, lingering finish. Yum, but drink in the next 1-2 years.
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This was showing very well. This had some rusticity and was showing raspberries, black cherries, fresh figs, coffee and tobacco. Good grip and crisp acidity.
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Garnet red color. Cranberry and cassis notes up front, followed by exotic layers of tobacco, leather and spice box. Wine has mellowed out, with tannins much smoother and developed extensive character since the last bottle we had in mid-2009. Atypical for a Washington wine, has evolved into a palate showing somewhat of an old world profile but yet retaining expressive red and black fruit characteristic of the region. Shows that WW merlot can age - I'd estimate this wine can go another 3-4 years at least.
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Don't agree with most of the other reviews. This is a stunning Merlot. Complex, nuanced aromas and layered flavors. Leather, floral, spice and cherry aromas on the nose--a true bouquet that is elevated above individual components. Hits on the palate with fresh red fruit, then elegantly transitions to a long, coffee-filled finish. No rough edges. A lot of structure here even if the tannin and acid isn't obtrusive. A fair amount of oak, though very complimentary. Just the right mix of restrained fruit, hints of herbaceous flavors and secondary aromas. For those who prefer nuanced new world wines. Seems ageworthy based on structure and tightly wound palate.
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Enjoyed this a lot. I found it to have a lot of up front fruitiness, and a mellow finish. Good structure. And for $20 (Winery Insider) a real good deal
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Agree with the other reviews, nothing special, especially at this price. Nose of red cherry, menthol and tobacco. The wine was a bit thin and lacking any structure. Nice red fruit and some firm tannins. May need some more bottle time.
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Medium red color. Front palate sings with bright fruits - ripe cherries and pomegranate, plenty of depth and an elegant smooth texture. This Merlot has 5-7 years of aging potential.
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12/18/2021 - McMalbec Likes this wine: 89 Points
It took a few minutes in the glass to open up, but this is a nicely maturing Merlot. It paired nicely with a baked Cornish game hen with a cherry/port glaze and wild rice.
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6/15/2013 - snarfglk wrote: 87 Points
Brought this to a social gathering/tasting. This was one of the last wines, so I don't know if it was an off bottle or my palate was gone.
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6/6/2013 - Cabfrancophile Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is maturing nicely. Bass line of dark chocolate and black cherry with cedar and soy sauce overlaid. Very open nose. Packing a lot of depth on the palate. Starts with black fruits and fresh acidity, then rounded texture, and finishing with firm tannin and dark chocolate. This should keep progressing for at least several more years. But it's in a good place now--depends on how you like 'em I guess.
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6/26/2012 - Winiac wrote:
Very dark ruby color. The wine seemed to have had over oxidation in the bottle and at the first hour or so smelled oxidized, but later on opened up to some cherry and oak aromas.Very concentrated and still somewhat prominent tannins. Good balance and finish. I did not score it as I was not sure if my bottle was not really somewhat flawed.
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1/20/2012 - BRR wrote: 91 Points
Bought this at the winery and remember thinking that this was really striking merlot. Fairly typical WA merlot nose with slightly herb-tinged cherry and chocolate with a touch of chalkiness. Nice and lively in the mouth with bright cherry and rhubarb and other notes adding a great deal of complexity. Long, lingering finish. Yum, but drink in the next 1-2 years.
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6/30/2011 - KC Bloodlines wrote:
This was showing very well. This had some rusticity and was showing raspberries, black cherries, fresh figs, coffee and tobacco. Good grip and crisp acidity.
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1/15/2011 - GA_Seattle Likes this wine: 92 Points
Garnet red color. Cranberry and cassis notes up front, followed by exotic layers of tobacco, leather and spice box. Wine has mellowed out, with tannins much smoother and developed extensive character since the last bottle we had in mid-2009. Atypical for a Washington wine, has evolved into a palate showing somewhat of an old world profile but yet retaining expressive red and black fruit characteristic of the region. Shows that WW merlot can age - I'd estimate this wine can go another 3-4 years at least.
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1/2/2011 - Clarkmeister wrote: 91 Points
Wow, this was great. Leftover from the reception back in May, this bottle was very nice with a lot going on.
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10/9/2010 - Cabfrancophile wrote: 93 Points
Don't agree with most of the other reviews. This is a stunning Merlot. Complex, nuanced aromas and layered flavors. Leather, floral, spice and cherry aromas on the nose--a true bouquet that is elevated above individual components. Hits on the palate with fresh red fruit, then elegantly transitions to a long, coffee-filled finish. No rough edges. A lot of structure here even if the tannin and acid isn't obtrusive. A fair amount of oak, though very complimentary. Just the right mix of restrained fruit, hints of herbaceous flavors and secondary aromas. For those who prefer nuanced new world wines. Seems ageworthy based on structure and tightly wound palate.
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9/1/2010 - pkbackman wrote: 89 Points
Enjoyed this a lot. I found it to have a lot of up front fruitiness, and a mellow finish. Good structure. And for $20 (Winery Insider) a real good deal
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8/11/2009 - ocattorney wrote: 85 Points
Agree with the other reviews, nothing special, especially at this price. Nose of red cherry, menthol and tobacco. The wine was a bit thin and lacking any structure. Nice red fruit and some firm tannins. May need some more bottle time.
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5/1/2009 - GA_Seattle wrote: 91 Points
Medium red color. Front palate sings with bright fruits - ripe cherries and pomegranate, plenty of depth and an elegant smooth texture. This Merlot has 5-7 years of aging potential.
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4/17/2009 - NomadicEntrepreneur wrote: 90 Points
jammy with hints of currants and berries
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11/8/2008 - EMichels wrote: 85 Points
Eastern Washington: Bright red nose; Bright cherry; Short
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8/25/2008 - garywa wrote: 83 Points
just ok, not worth the price
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