Nice plum aromas especially for its age.very soft taste with low tannins and medium after taste.as you drink it gets better and better.a nice merlot in its decline,drink now.
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Mixed feelings about this. Not past its prime for my taste as it didn't come together until the end of the second night. Fruit was elegent but no sogn of fading. Issue for me was the overly tannic backbone that was out of balance. Not a ton of complexity either despite its age.
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Nose is pretty spare at first. Flavors are actually pretty bold but simple. Fruit has faded some, probably a bit past its prime although it hasn't gone wimpy.
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Notes of plum and hint of chocolate on the nose; a very nice perfume. This is supple and ripe, with layers of plum and black cherry, and fine tannins on the finish. Very close to peak.
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A very fruit forward wine. Had guests for dinner and served it with steak, a little too fruity for steak, but still a very good wine. The French wine Chatuea Lascombes was the better choice for steak. Everybody had a great time and enjoyed both bottles.
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Decanted about 1 hour. Black purple with clear white rim and fast thin legs. Cherry nose and lots of cherry on the palate. Changes from front to back of the palate with thick and velvety mouthfeel. Big, well balanced, and full bodied.
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Di got for her 40th and we drank on her 43rd. Really nice smooth Merlot. Decanted about an hour before drinking. Very fruity and mellow. Deep deep purple color. Aromas of cherries and dark fruit. Flavors of black berries and some cocoa.
Excellent c - 5 a - 13 f - 17 o - 7
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This is a great Merlot. It's tannic enough to make you believe you're drinking a nice smooth cab, yet not thin like many Merlots. This has been aging in my cellar for a few years but it was one of the wines that impressed us while at Joseph Phelps several years ago so I'd imagine even then it was very good, probably much bigger with higher tannins then now. I'd rate this Merlot right there with Duckhorn and Twomey. Good fruit and tannin balance, not thin at all, just a touch of dryness to go along with sufficient fruit. The word balance comes to mind. Ok, it's not a cab, it doesn't take your breath away, but I really enjoyed this wine.
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90+. Pop and pour, then drunk over several hours. Very nice right out of the bottle. Dark fruit, tanins all in line, medium weight. Last bottle, would buy more at $30; this should remain in its drinking window for at least another 2-4 years.
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Again a wonderful bottle but this was during a hectic home-coming dinner with our two 20 something kids so it was a bit tougher to contemplate the wine when we were both happy to see the kids again. Smooth dark berry fruits with soft tannins and some spice.
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A silky wonderfully balanced Merlot. This wine was just a pure pleasure to drink, with fruit and oak in perfect harmony. One of the smoothest wines we have had. JP is always a reliable producer.
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Opened, with half a bottle decanted, and the other half saved for a later date. Consumed immediately from decanted over a 2 hour period. A bit of wood and brambles on the nose, not dramatically different from May tasting, but slightly improved. Would buy more at a $30-odd price point, but certainly not a "wow-er" wine.
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Gets better and better. Nice and soft, this wine shows restrained berry and chocolate, with vanilla oak, and balanced acid. Finish was moderate, and balance was great.
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Pop and pour. Started off very disjointed, but came together in the bottle over the course of about 45 mins. Decanting might have sped up the process, and the fact that we didn't have good glasses at my in-laws didn't help. Agree with others on strength of wood and vanilla, medium+ in weight, fairly brief finish. Its shown some improvement over the last year.
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On the nose, lots of vanilla, wood, plum and black cherry. On the palate, medium-bodied with plum, vanilla, black cherry, and cocoa, with a medium length, woody finish.
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Dark purple with dull purple edges. Vanilla and concord grape nose. Blackberry, raspberry, slight fig, with tar and tobacco. Far less sweet than the nose would suggest. Flat, brambly, slight chlorine taste on the back of the tongue, with a dry not-quite-licorice finish.
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I was surprised by the overwhelming taste of alcohol on this wine. I had to wait much longer than anticipated for this wine to open up especially for a Merlot. One bottle left and I will let it mature for at least another year before I give it another try.
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Good color, nice aromatics coming off the bottle, mostly stewed fruits showing with tannins not too complementary. Maybe it will show better in a year or two, but I was underwhelmed.
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1/20/2019 - Binkey Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice plum aromas especially for its age.very soft taste with low tannins and medium after taste.as you drink it gets better and better.a nice merlot in its decline,drink now.
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4/12/2018 - B&PBaker wrote:
mistake
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6/13/2013 - AlexHop wrote: 89 Points
Nice straight forward style. Good age for this wine.
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10/19/2012 - iamandyc wrote: 87 Points
Mixed feelings about this. Not past its prime for my taste as it didn't come together until the end of the second night. Fruit was elegent but no sogn of fading. Issue for me was the overly tannic backbone that was out of balance. Not a ton of complexity either despite its age.
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7/20/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 88 Points
Decent. A touch chalky/musty but beyond that fairly elegant.
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5/23/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 88 Points
Nose is pretty spare at first. Flavors are actually pretty bold but simple. Fruit has faded some, probably a bit past its prime although it hasn't gone wimpy.
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9/5/2011 - random wrote: 85 Points
Past it's prime by probably a couple of years. Fine up front but lingering acidity and weakness on the finish.
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3/13/2011 - FieldingYost wrote: 91 Points
Notes of plum and hint of chocolate on the nose; a very nice perfume. This is supple and ripe, with layers of plum and black cherry, and fine tannins on the finish. Very close to peak.
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1/2/2011 - Arthur4wine wrote: 89 Points
A very fruit forward wine. Had guests for dinner and served it with steak, a little too fruity for steak, but still a very good wine. The French wine Chatuea Lascombes was the better choice for steak. Everybody had a great time and enjoyed both bottles.
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8/15/2010 - drphil Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted about 1 hour. Black purple with clear white rim and fast thin legs. Cherry nose and lots of cherry on the palate. Changes from front to back of the palate with thick and velvety mouthfeel. Big, well balanced, and full bodied.
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10/10/2009 - cabrnay wrote: 91 Points
very nice, would buy again
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4/10/2009 - schnittle wrote: 92 Points
Di got for her 40th and we drank on her 43rd. Really nice smooth Merlot. Decanted about an hour before drinking. Very fruity and mellow. Deep deep purple color. Aromas of cherries and dark fruit. Flavors of black berries and some cocoa.
Excellent
c - 5
a - 13
f - 17
o - 7
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1/7/2009 - cabrnay wrote: 92 Points
This is a great Merlot. It's tannic enough to make you believe you're drinking a nice smooth cab, yet not thin like many Merlots. This has been aging in my cellar for a few years but it was one of the wines that impressed us while at Joseph Phelps several years ago so I'd imagine even then it was very good, probably much bigger with higher tannins then now. I'd rate this Merlot right there with Duckhorn and Twomey. Good fruit and tannin balance, not thin at all, just a touch of dryness to go along with sufficient fruit. The word balance comes to mind. Ok, it's not a cab, it doesn't take your breath away, but I really enjoyed this wine.
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8/4/2008 - davidandrose wrote:
90+. Pop and pour, then drunk over several hours. Very nice right out of the bottle. Dark fruit, tanins all in line, medium weight. Last bottle, would buy more at $30; this should remain in its drinking window for at least another 2-4 years.
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6/7/2008 - jbehrendt wrote: 95 Points
Throughly enjoyable bottle of wine. Very nicely balanced and smooth. My favorite California Merlot. Only 1 bottle left. Wish I had more!
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5/6/2008 - Arch57 wrote: 90 Points
Again a wonderful bottle but this was during a hectic home-coming dinner with our two 20 something kids so it was a bit tougher to contemplate the wine when we were both happy to see the kids again. Smooth dark berry fruits with soft tannins and some spice.
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4/27/2008 - Arch57 wrote: 91 Points
A silky wonderfully balanced Merlot. This wine was just a pure pleasure to drink, with fruit and oak in perfect harmony. One of the smoothest wines we have had. JP is always a reliable producer.
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1/27/2008 - stercomm wrote: 88 Points
Very nice, closeout sale at $24. Lots of fruit, nice finish, a bit of oak
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10/7/2007 - davidandrose wrote: 90 Points
Opened, with half a bottle decanted, and the other half saved for a later date. Consumed immediately from decanted over a 2 hour period. A bit of wood and brambles on the nose, not dramatically different from May tasting, but slightly improved. Would buy more at a $30-odd price point, but certainly not a "wow-er" wine.
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7/13/2007 - mmyette wrote: 91 Points
Gets better and better. Nice and soft, this wine shows restrained berry and chocolate, with vanilla oak, and balanced acid. Finish was moderate, and balance was great.
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5/31/2007 - davidandrose wrote: 89 Points
Pop and pour. Started off very disjointed, but came together in the bottle over the course of about 45 mins. Decanting might have sped up the process, and the fact that we didn't have good glasses at my in-laws didn't help. Agree with others on strength of wood and vanilla, medium+ in weight, fairly brief finish. Its shown some improvement over the last year.
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5/13/2007 - mmyette wrote: 90 Points
Berry, vanilla, woody resin, some dust, and a moderate finish. Nice merlot.
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4/21/2007 - yotaiwan wrote: 90 Points
mellow fruity with great new wood flavor, and fine tannins.
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4/9/2007 - SacredCow wrote: 89 Points
On the nose, lots of vanilla, wood, plum and black cherry. On the palate, medium-bodied with plum, vanilla, black cherry, and cocoa, with a medium length, woody finish.
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1/30/2007 - dhonig wrote: 85 Points
Dark purple with dull purple edges. Vanilla and concord grape nose. Blackberry, raspberry, slight fig, with tar and tobacco. Far less sweet than the nose would suggest. Flat, brambly, slight chlorine taste on the back of the tongue, with a dry not-quite-licorice finish.
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11/25/2006 - tmac77 wrote: 84 Points
I was surprised by the overwhelming taste of alcohol on this wine. I had to wait much longer than anticipated for this wine to open up especially for a Merlot. One bottle left and I will let it mature for at least another year before I give it another try.
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10/18/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 90 Points
Napa Valley Vintner's Big Nightlife Napa Valley Magnum Tasting Party (San Francisco, CA): Well made Napa merlot. Aromas/flavors of plum, black cherry, raspberry, graphite, cocoa powder and vanilla. Nicely strucutred with integrated tannins. Nice, lingering finish that ends with a nice dose of cocoa powder.
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9/1/2006 - Paul Lin wrote: 85 Points
Tasted at the winery. Muted aromas of raspberry and dark chocolate. A simple wine. Very austere. I expect better from this producer.
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6/9/2006 - mmyette wrote: 90 Points
Spectacular. A little one-dimensional, and not layered deep, but fragrant, beautiful, berry, vanilla mocha, dust, and oak. Very nice.
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3/22/2005 - madeiradog wrote: 82 Points
Good color, nice aromatics coming off the bottle, mostly stewed fruits showing with tannins not too complementary. Maybe it will show better in a year or two, but I was underwhelmed.
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