Had back to back as pop, and Poors with the 2016. Both from 750. Knows on the 15 is a bit more floral and fragrant, but the 16 delivers better across the pallet. I don't have many. (if any) 15 remaining; if I did, I'd mark him for drinking in the next 6 to 9 months . While the wine is still respectable and enjoyable, it's on the 16th or 17th hole IMO
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Smokey currant, black raspberry, chocolate, white pepper with just a trace of toasty oak on the finish. Rich and balanced. Drinking well and seems completely integrated at this point. Double decanted
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This Merlot is just starting to express itself. Cassis and chocolate covered cherries combine with tilled soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco. Great depth and texture. Aromatically pleasing. This is a Cabernet lover’s Merlot. Large scaled but nicely balanced. Its better days are ahead.
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Highly recommend and a good QPR wine. This is a merlot lover's merlot. Drink or hold - drinking very well right now, if possible would recommend a short splash decant and not sure about too much further upside with further cellaring but this wine is big and structured enough that with proper cellaring this has an easy decade+ to go at this point and should continue to soften and balance out a bit. Big bold wine, full bodied, good mouth feel, very dark purple with no bricking, strong fruit core, balanced oak and tannins still very present and a long lingering beautiful mouth feel. Aromatic nose of dark stone fruit, blackberry and cola. Primary flavor profile of controlled oak, dark cherry, a surprising amount of cassis for a pure merlot and brambles with blueberry, a hint of anise, coffee and a sweeter cola note on the finish.
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I will continue obtaining this vineyard for my cellar (the merlot). It is a nice pronounced merlot for the price and has aging capabilities. I am increasing my drink window by 2 years with this writing.
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If you like a pronounce merlot, this wine is for you! The aromas of dark fruit (blackberry), cassis, and dark rich cherries; along with flavors of dark cherries and blackberry with a lasting finish. Long legs on the glass and a dark rich ruby (almost black) color. A very slight tart (due to tannins) comes through, but the mellow, smooth palate offset this. A true merlot. Pushing my drink window back by 3 years (or let settle in the decanter for about an hour or so).
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This Napa Merlot from Calistoga is kicking some butt right now. A 2015 is in the zone right now. Brambly and muddy black and red fruits. Pie spice, red licorice and a touch of black cherry cola here. This wine is soft and round on the front and finishes with some grip and weight. This bottle disappeared RATHER quickly among just 2 drinkers with a lot of really solid Mexican food (mesquite smoked and grilled fajitas). The last time I had this bottle I bought another....and I'm going to look for yet ANOTHER bottle after this.
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Might be my last 375, Pop and pour. After 90 mins the fruit is still vibrant but the tannins have faded. Fresh black and blueberries dominate, this was solid on its own and w our Mediterranean grilled swordfish tonite
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Chocolate, plum, black cherry. Some vanilla and baking spices. Drinking well now, but there are still some tannins so this should hold up well in the cellar. Need to buy more ASAP!
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Pop and pour from 375. Much better than the last bottle. As usual this comes across as a cabernet with a Merlot label. Dark,lush nose continues and wraps around the entire palate with a long, silky finish.
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Always enjoy SR, but Tonight seems to suffer from bottle variation. Wine is more fruit-driven than usual without the backbone I typically expect. Some metallic notes were evident early on but these quickly dissipated. However three hours after opening this is still somewhat shallow.
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We had this alongside DH 3 Palms. I’d have to say the duckhorn won for the night but I could really see the Switchback being spectacular in 4-5 years. Even after 2 hrs of decanting it was still a little tight. It still had great body. High tannin and just needs more time IMO. Oak, vanilla and baking spice along with Wonderful levels of fruit too.
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Short decant, another 30 minutes in glass. Nose is muted with hints of floral. Color is garnet with hint of edge to it. Dark fruit and floral perfume. Slightly dry with slight oak finish. Long on palate as opposed to other revues. A little heavy on the alcohol side. All in all, great merlot that still has time but hard to let this sit. Enjoy
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After dinner we had a virtual zoom birthday party for a friend of ours. So I opened a 375. The nose was berries and hints of chocolate. The palate was berries, plums and chocolate. The finish was long and lingering. The only problem with the wine was after the zoom when we sat down to watch TV I fell asleep on the couch and my wife finished the wine.
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Pop and pour from another 375. More enjoyable then my 1/2 bottle last month, this is a satisfying wine at a reasonable price point. With deep sales on their 2014 vintage I may pick up some more
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3rd bottle of the night, and this was on my own rather then w neighbors. From a 375, not decanted.
Even 30 mins after opening (but not decanted) the nose still shows green notes, though faint. There’s ample young black and red fruit that show elegance through its youth. No rush whatsoever w this.
I was actually wise enough to only pour 1.5 glasses from this 375 then recorked. 2 days later this still has good depth and structure; while a bit softer than Friday, the green notes are gone. Glad to have plenty of these
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Young but approachable. From a 375. Dark flowers on the nose, the palate was berry, plum and mocha. The finish is moderate to long. A lot of potential with some age. 5 more years and this one could easily be a 94/95 but for those who do not wish to wait a 92 for now.
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Decanted from a 375 but immediately consumed as a p and p. Fresh flowers and green on the nose. Tons of rich flavor is on the pallet: BlackBerry, thyme, prune, stone all in a satiny finish. Still very young wine that needs another 2 to 3 years to integrate; maybe the green would have faded into the background with more time in the decanter, but otherwise a very pleasant - though obviously young - wine.
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From a 375, decanted and followed over an hour. With burgers. Very faint hint of green on the tip of my tongue but this dissipated with time. Much smoother than my last tasting of this several months ago. Sweet taste with an elegant mouthfeel and a satin/velvet finish.
Look forward to seeing how this matures. One of my first 2015s
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First time with this vintage and it didn't disappoint. Huge flavor bomb and the way I like merlots to taste. Fruit forward and chewy. May get better but not sure why I would wait.
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2/3/2024 - Good2drink Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Had with steak. Vickey and I both thought it was harsh and no “softness” like we remembered
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8/12/2023 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had back to back as pop, and Poors with the 2016. Both from 750. Knows on the 15 is a bit more floral and fragrant, but the 16 delivers better across the pallet. I don't have many. (if any) 15 remaining; if I did, I'd mark him for drinking in the next 6 to 9 months . While the wine is still respectable and enjoyable, it's on the 16th or 17th hole IMO
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7/29/2023 - jbaltonji Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ready to drink. Deep, rich
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5/14/2023 - 6831 wrote: 92 Points
Smokey currant, black raspberry, chocolate, white pepper with just a trace of toasty oak on the finish. Rich and balanced. Drinking well and seems completely integrated at this point. Double decanted
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4/4/2023 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine:
Drinking maturely. Time to enjoy. Not much acidity. Tannins are soft and relaxed.
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2/8/2023 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decent wine - showing some maturity. Time to work into some burger nights!
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10/15/2022 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 93 Points
This Merlot is just starting to express itself. Cassis and chocolate covered cherries combine with tilled soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco. Great depth and texture. Aromatically pleasing. This is a Cabernet lover’s Merlot. Large scaled but nicely balanced. Its better days are ahead.
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8/5/2022 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice baking spice and blackberry notes
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7/6/2022 - ikkaariainen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Highly recommend and a good QPR wine. This is a merlot lover's merlot. Drink or hold - drinking very well right now, if possible would recommend a short splash decant and not sure about too much further upside with further cellaring but this wine is big and structured enough that with proper cellaring this has an easy decade+ to go at this point and should continue to soften and balance out a bit. Big bold wine, full bodied, good mouth feel, very dark purple with no bricking, strong fruit core, balanced oak and tannins still very present and a long lingering beautiful mouth feel. Aromatic nose of dark stone fruit, blackberry and cola. Primary flavor profile of controlled oak, dark cherry, a surprising amount of cassis for a pure merlot and brambles with blueberry, a hint of anise, coffee and a sweeter cola note on the finish.
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7/3/2022 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I will continue obtaining this vineyard for my cellar (the merlot). It is a nice pronounced merlot for the price and has aging capabilities. I am increasing my drink window by 2 years with this writing.
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6/18/2022 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 91 Points
If you like a pronounce merlot, this wine is for you! The aromas of dark fruit (blackberry), cassis, and dark rich cherries; along with flavors of dark cherries and blackberry with a lasting finish. Long legs on the glass and a dark rich ruby (almost black) color. A very slight tart (due to tannins) comes through, but the mellow, smooth palate offset this. A true merlot. Pushing my drink window back by 3 years (or let settle in the decanter for about an hour or so).
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6/4/2022 - mflesh wrote: 94 Points
This Napa Merlot from Calistoga is kicking some butt right now. A 2015 is in the zone right now. Brambly and muddy black and red fruits. Pie spice, red licorice and a touch of black cherry cola here. This wine is soft and round on the front and finishes with some grip and weight. This bottle disappeared RATHER quickly among just 2 drinkers with a lot of really solid Mexican food (mesquite smoked and grilled fajitas). The last time I had this bottle I bought another....and I'm going to look for yet ANOTHER bottle after this.
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4/15/2022 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
Might be my last 375, Pop and pour. After 90 mins the fruit is still vibrant but the tannins have faded. Fresh black and blueberries dominate, this was solid on its own and w our Mediterranean grilled swordfish tonite
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3/19/2022 - DaveNC Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very nice, soft, dark berry. Lovely. Paid 49-ish discounted from 69-. I’d buy again at the discounted price.
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11/7/2021 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Chocolate, plum, black cherry. Some vanilla and baking spices. Drinking well now, but there are still some tannins so this should hold up well in the cellar. Need to buy more ASAP!
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10/17/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
A really nice merlot. Fruit and chocolate on the nose. The palate is berries, plums and chocolate leading to a moderately long smooth finish.
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7/3/2021 - Robwild Likes this wine: 91 Points
Let breathe for about 30 minutes. Medium to full bodied. Soft tannins. Dark fruit with cherries and plums. Very approachable. Very approachable.
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2/18/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistently enjoyable
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1/4/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pop and pour from 375. Much better than the last bottle. As usual this comes across as a cabernet with a Merlot label. Dark,lush nose continues and wraps around the entire palate with a long, silky finish.
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11/25/2020 - davidandrose wrote: 90 Points
Always enjoy SR, but Tonight seems to suffer from bottle variation. Wine is more fruit-driven than usual without the backbone I typically expect. Some metallic notes were evident early on but these quickly dissipated. However three hours after opening this is still somewhat shallow.
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8/11/2020 - RojoVino24 Likes this wine: 93 Points
We had this alongside DH 3 Palms. I’d have to say the duckhorn won for the night but I could really see the Switchback being spectacular in 4-5 years. Even after 2 hrs of decanting it was still a little tight. It still had great body. High tannin and just needs more time IMO. Oak, vanilla and baking spice along with Wonderful levels of fruit too.
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7/2/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop and pour from another half bottle. Consistently an enjoyable Wine that’s easy to drink.
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5/20/2020 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Short decant, another 30 minutes in glass. Nose is muted with hints of floral. Color is garnet with hint of edge to it. Dark fruit and floral perfume. Slightly dry with slight oak finish. Long on palate as opposed to other revues. A little heavy on the alcohol side. All in all, great merlot that still has time but hard to let this sit. Enjoy
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5/18/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pop and pour from 375. Easy drink and very enjoyable, though the finish is brief
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5/5/2020 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
After dinner we had a virtual zoom birthday party for a friend of ours. So I opened a 375. The nose was berries and hints of chocolate. The palate was berries, plums and chocolate. The finish was long and lingering. The only problem with the wine was after the zoom when we sat down to watch TV I fell asleep on the couch and my wife finished the wine.
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4/5/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop and pour from another 375. More enjoyable then my 1/2 bottle last month, this is a satisfying wine at a reasonable price point. With deep sales on their 2014 vintage I may pick up some more
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3/6/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
3rd bottle of the night, and this was on my own rather then w neighbors. From a 375, not decanted.
Even 30 mins after opening (but not decanted) the nose still shows green notes, though faint. There’s ample young black and red fruit that show elegance through its youth. No rush whatsoever w this.
I was actually wise enough to only pour 1.5 glasses from this 375 then recorked. 2 days later this still has good depth and structure; while a bit softer than Friday, the green notes are gone. Glad to have plenty of these
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11/19/2019 - grayfont Likes this wine: 90 Points
Full bodied. Dries out the mouth, especially front palate. Tight; Way too young right now. Think it will be nice as it softens in a few years.
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9/15/2019 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar to the bottle I had back in May. Opens quickly to a palate of dark berries, plums and mocha. A nice full finish.
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7/25/2019 - jtwortham Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking great after a 1 hr decant- lots of mocha and blueberry flavors. Tannins are strong but well balanced. Can drink now or hold for years.
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5/29/2019 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Young but approachable. From a 375. Dark flowers on the nose, the palate was berry, plum and mocha. The finish is moderate to long. A lot of potential with some age. 5 more years and this one could easily be a 94/95 but for those who do not wish to wait a 92 for now.
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12/7/2018 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted from a 375 but immediately consumed as a p and p. Fresh flowers and green on the nose. Tons of rich flavor is on the pallet: BlackBerry, thyme, prune, stone all in a satiny finish. Still very young wine that needs another 2 to 3 years to integrate; maybe the green would have faded into the background with more time in the decanter, but otherwise a very pleasant - though obviously young - wine.
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8/29/2018 - davidandrose Likes this wine:
From a 375, decanted and followed over an hour. With burgers. Very faint hint of green on the tip of my tongue but this dissipated with time. Much smoother than my last tasting of this several months ago. Sweet taste with an elegant mouthfeel and a satin/velvet finish.
Look forward to seeing how this matures. One of my first 2015s
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7/6/2018 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 93 Points
First time with this vintage and it didn't disappoint. Huge flavor bomb and the way I like merlots to taste. Fruit forward and chewy. May get better but not sure why I would wait.
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