More restrained than the 2019, which I thought was really lovely. Still it does have a nice raspberry and mocha/chocolate element on the nose (mostly) and also on the front palate. A bit of fleshiness on the mid palate and then some acidic uplift at the end. Needs more time, but not a long-term keeper.
(Served with a rack of lamb, roasted vegetables and potatoes, and grilled asparagus with Meyer lemon brown butter and Parmigiano (per Delfina Restaurant).)
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Restrained blackberry fruit and milk chocolate with a nice mineral edge and a lasting finish. American oak and coarse tannins balanced by lively acidity. Medium-bodied and light on its feet, I love the lift here. Super primary. Smoke taint? Not convinced it’s there. Think it requires a lot more bottle age to integrate the oak.
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Not as great as other years but still a very good wine. Smooth tannins with strong dark fruit, not as lively as other vintages and feels a bit more delicate than usual.
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2 hours slow ox was not close to being enough air. Recorked and enjoyed it over next 2 days where it gained weight and flavor. Rich plum, black cherry, milk chocolate, vanilla. Next time air this out for 8 hours if drinking before age 5.
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I really enjoyed this. For a Merlot it was very young, I think 2 years would put this square in the drinking window. Up front it’s somewhat fruity, then the tannins hit. Great Wine for the Cali cab crew looking for a merlot. Fruit forward then rolled tannins. I’d buy again and hold.
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Big nose of bramble fruit and currant. Starts with lots of darker fruit, mainly blackberry, then gets very earthy, with some hints of mushroom. Chewy tannins. Very good.
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Opened for an hour. Color is bright ruby. On the nose: Cassis, plum and green pepper. On the palate: Plum , cassis, baking spices and a bit of orange zest. Too young I think. Needs time to evolve.
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Medium ruby. On the nose, plums, blueberries, lilies, a hint of chile pepper, forest floor, a hint of vanillin oak. Soft and round on the palate, medium tannins, medium acids, medium alcohol (14.1%), medium finish. A lovely integrated wine, not flashy but delicious. Perfect with barbecued chicken.
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3/31/2024 - John Dunlap Likes this wine: 91 Points
More restrained than the 2019, which I thought was really lovely. Still it does have a nice raspberry and mocha/chocolate element on the nose (mostly) and also on the front palate. A bit of fleshiness on the mid palate and then some acidic uplift at the end. Needs more time, but not a long-term keeper.
(Served with a rack of lamb, roasted vegetables and potatoes, and grilled asparagus with Meyer lemon brown butter and Parmigiano (per Delfina Restaurant).)
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3/16/2024 - JLCFan wrote: 93 Points
Restrained blackberry fruit and milk chocolate with a nice mineral edge and a lasting finish. American oak and coarse tannins balanced by lively acidity. Medium-bodied and light on its feet, I love the lift here. Super primary. Smoke taint? Not convinced it’s there. Think it requires a lot more bottle age to integrate the oak.
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6/29/2023 - hadukla Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not as great as other years but still a very good wine. Smooth tannins with strong dark fruit, not as lively as other vintages and feels a bit more delicate than usual.
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5/20/2023 - Elkcims Likes this wine: 92 Points
2 hours slow ox was not close to being enough air. Recorked and enjoyed it over next 2 days where it gained weight and flavor. Rich plum, black cherry, milk chocolate, vanilla. Next time air this out for 8 hours if drinking before age 5.
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5/13/2023 - Phidelt418 Likes this wine: 92 Points
I really enjoyed this. For a Merlot it was very young, I think 2 years would put this square in the drinking window. Up front it’s somewhat fruity, then the tannins hit. Great Wine for the Cali cab crew looking for a merlot. Fruit forward then rolled tannins. I’d buy again and hold.
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4/23/2023 - BrendanMcS wrote: 93 Points
Big nose of bramble fruit and currant. Starts with lots of darker fruit, mainly blackberry, then gets very earthy, with some hints of mushroom. Chewy tannins. Very good.
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4/4/2023 - Brian of Mull Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened for an hour. Color is bright ruby. On the nose: Cassis, plum and green pepper. On the palate: Plum , cassis, baking spices and a bit of orange zest. Too young I think. Needs time to evolve.
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4/3/2023 - wgmccallum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium ruby. On the nose, plums, blueberries, lilies, a hint of chile pepper, forest floor, a hint of vanillin oak. Soft and round on the palate, medium tannins, medium acids, medium alcohol (14.1%), medium finish. A lovely integrated wine, not flashy but delicious. Perfect with barbecued chicken.
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