Lovely wine. Dark fruit, I get plum, maybe a little currant. More herb than spice, some menthol with a mineral backbone with resolved tannins and good acidity. I can’t quite put my finger on the finish but it goes on for a long while. This is in a good place but probably has at least another 10 years. The only minor fault is that you know the alcohol level is on the high side (14.7 alcohol). I wouldn’t call it hot but it is there.
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All the components in this wine are in the right place. Dark fruit, minerality, integrated wood and spring flowers. Wonderful depth and texture. Aromatically pleasing. Great juice!
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Surprisingly dark fruit, good spice notes from the integrated oak and wild herbs are showcased in this Washington merlot. There is a good amount of Cabernet that doesn’t go unnoticed. Amazing depth and texture. This wine has the “X” factor that try to find. Great juice.
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This has been a fantastic wine! We bought direct from the winery and have carefully stored this wine ever since. On the nose; black cherry, rhubarb and alcohol. On the pallet; black cherry, slight Casis with a beautiful black cherry and plum finish.
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I had hopes time would be kind to this one, but as a friend has said before, no amount of time will fix a mediocre wine. Since nothing has changed, I’ll repost my Feb 2, 2014 note:
“I found this rather disappointing. Both the nose and palate seemed to be closed, one-dimensional, and dominated by oak, alcohol, and nondescript dark fruit. A big "meh" from me, hopefully my remaining bottles are different.”
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Really sad to see that my bottle didn't measure up to the high CT and critics scores. My bottle was very unbalanced with grainy, dusty, edgy tannins spoiling the nice merlot (typical USA) fruit. Somewhat better on 2nd day but it never came around. Oh well, can't win 'em all.
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PnP, but 1/2 hr decant would have been better as the wine continued to open in the glass. This wine is a project of Michel Rolland, and is composed of 75% merlot, 15% cab. sauvignon, with the balance being cab. franc & petit verdot. Lots of dark red fruit and cedar on the nose. The medium plus palate is overwhelmed with these same dark red fruits, along with some spice, cedar, and integrated tannins. All of this is balanced with good acidity, and a finish that lingers. This beast of a merlot should last several more years.
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Oh no! Last bottle of '07. Still rich and thick and chewy! Perhaps still in need of some air, or time. Or drink now. Still great full fruit and texture. Tannins, too, but smooth ones.
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Very similar notes to one popped 1.5 yrs ago - although I believe this bottle better, likely due to provenance. This is as big as a merlot can get. Heavy slathering of the blueberry pie & cocoa. Tannins resolved, leaving a round linear feel. Drink now.
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Might be in a bit of a closed off cycle. Delicious, but muted compared to some of the LS Pedestals I've had. True "cab drinkers" style Merlot. But as I said, not quite as "over the top" as I was expecting. Still great fruit (red, blue) and cocoa, and later with more baking spices. This oughta hold into the next decade (is it really almost 2020???). Keep it safe for now, maybe try it again in a year.
CellarTrack indicates this wine is at about the end of its expected life. I have opened two bottles recently and both were in great condition and the wine was very enjoyable. It has a good balance of deep, rich mature fruit and tannins. I expect this wine will keep several more years but it is very nice right now.
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Pleasing nose of cherry, vanilla, leather, and red licorice. On the palate: silky mouth feel with dried berries, essence of Dr. Pepper, with a pomegranate finish.
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Really enjoyed this with a Lamb shank with balsamic demi glaze. Rose pedal and berry nose. Raspberry and mocha on the palate with a slight bit of smokey, toasty oak giving way to vanilla and grape marmalade finish. texture is smooth and inviting with very fine tannins. As I've said before, this guy knows how to get the most out of merlot.
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Blueberry nose. Alcoholic, opulent, big & chewy. This is a wine that would've been a class favorite for me 5-6 years ago ... but now as I shy away more from huge wines ... juice such as this just seems to get me drunk too fast.
Very hard wine to deal with. Dark ruby red, very thick. Classic Merlot. Nose: fruit and oak jump out. Slight smokiness. Fruits are dark, predominantly plum and blackberries. Medium aromatics. Palate: dusty tannins hit immediately, then the heat comes in. medium acidity at first, but becomes very juicy with air (used Venturi and decanters). Prominent chocolate and raspberries. White pepper, touch of rosemary. Big, lush wine that needs lots of air. The fruit and acidity come out over time, but so does the heat. With almost 3 hours of air, the plum and cherry really come out.This wine could use more cellar time to iron itself out, but I think the flavors are maxed. Finish: fruit, heat, and acidity all hit at once, but the coating dusty tannins dry the mount - and finish - quickly. 1-2 more years in cellar and this wine would make a lot more sense and garner a few more points; my mistake for opening too soon.
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I found this rather disappointing. Both the nose and palate seemed to be closed, one-dimensional, and dominated by oak, alcohol, and nondescript dark fruit. A big "meh" from me, hopefully my remaining bottles are different.
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Opened and let sit for an hour before drinking, the wine opened up and smoothed out during that time. Wine has good balance with lots of dark fruit on the nose and palate.
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Flew into DC from Portland, OR, checked into our hotel, grabbed this bottle from our wine shipper, walked to NOPA restaurant and popped and poured. All things considered, the bottle showed extremely well. Nice array of dark red and black fruit, some hints of baker's chocolate, as well as some mineral notes.
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Really well balanced bottle of wine. Had really good acidity to tame the dark purple fruit. Not seeing any secondary flavors at this point but drinking beautifully. Would go great with some red meat, but drank on its own with some appetizers.
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Consumed at dinner party so note is from memory. Nose: Medium expressiveness, earth, blue fruit - plum and blueberry, and a little spice. Palate: Medium-full bodied, ripe blue fruit with gritty tannins and earthiness dominating the mid-palate and dominating a medium length finish.
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Upon opening closed and tight. Drank over a period of approximately 2 hours. Color: Dark purple color Nose: Upon opening alcohol. Earthy, spice, light oak Taste: Black berries, cherries, chocolate, vanilla Medium finish, balanced tannins. Needs cellaring 3-5 years
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My tastes are decidedly old-world, so i wasn't expecting to really like this, but was pleasantly suprised. Was not high-octande or over the top, but rather well balanced. Definately is an abundance of fruit, but still remains refined, and the oak is not too overt. Enjoyed this.
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Primary dark berry with a bit of cherry in the background. Somewhat muted on the attack, with mixed berry, vanilla, spice and touch of oak around the perimeter. Moderate tannins, acidity somewhat bright, moderate finish. Could be drunk now, but 2-5 years would help.
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Popped and poured. Butter and alcohol on the nose. Good fruit on the palate with bing cherries and raspberries. Not as much oak or smoke as I expected but still quite enjoyable. I think this needs to lay for a couple more years. Very nice bottle.
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Decanted 1 hour. Think this bottle was flawed although it did not seem corked. The fruit was very muted with an alarming fall off after the initial entry. Hoping for better from my other bottles. (NR)
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Nice bottle. Ripe red & black berries; deep purple; smooth; full; spice. Opened up after 30 min in the glass. Day 2 even better. Can lay down for a few more years as well.
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TWM tasting- Washington reds: Tasted single blind. Deep purple, revealing ripe red fruit on the nose, certainly brighter than the Leonetti Merlot, but still only mildly fragrant, there is a hint of charcoal embers in the upper register. Flavors are quite tightly wound, but with aeration in the mouth, yields notes of wet soil and wood, supple and velvety tannins in this full bodied red, showing moderate acidity and a nice dark fruit profile. There is a medium- finish, with a kick of nice vanilla at the end. Able to be consumed now, and over the next 15 or so years. Would be a value at $50 (list $56). 89-91 points.
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Consumed over 2 days, note from day 2. Nose: Light to medium expressiveness, earth, plums, and licorice. Palate: Medium-full bodied, ripe plums and earth with a tannic grip in the back-end. Finish: Medium plus length finish dominated by plums and earth. Simple, but concentrated - quite tasty.
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Dark ruby with a dense core. Nose of plum, chocolate-covered cherry, coffee, a bit of underbrush. Medium full body, deep succulent plum and black raspberry fruit. Really rich on the palate. Long though somewhat oaky on the finish.
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Big cherry cola, dried herbs, and menthol. Exceptional balance. Bright acidity. Cherry with a hint of oak on the palate - Moves to a black pepper finish. Long finish. Exceptional wine.
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Friends and I tasted this at the Woodinville tasting room on 3/11/12. It had a rich, ripe and fragrant bouquet of plum, black currant, cocoa, toast, smoke and spice aromas. The palate was rich, smooth, round and dry with flavors of plum, blackberry, cocoa, toast and spice. 91+
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Freeload tour in Washington (Bellevue/Woodinville): Winemaker is Michel Rolland. Purple-Red rim, huge vanilla cassis flavors, toasty, creamiest and most decadent wine of the tasting. soft tannins and Medium to long finish. Slightly closed down. Recommended drinking 2015+.
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This is still a very young wine but has the ingredients to evolve into something special. Fruit started to show itself after about 3 hours but it was gone beofre we could see what all this has to offer. Very dark in the glass with hints of mocha chocolate, earthy plum and blackberry hints but not quite evolved into one smooth experience.
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Hmmm, this is a lovely wine. Nose has notes of raspberry, blueberry and a little tobacco all of which carry to the pallet You find really nice tannins on the tongue, dark fruit
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Elegant wine. Needs to be decanted or opened 1-2 hours prior to really show its stuff; was drinking very nicely the next day. Or let it rest for a few more years.
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Opened 1 hour and vinturied, consumed over 4 hours. Nose: High toned Red (raspberry) and blue (blueberry) fruit scents, creamy vanilla, and spice. Palate: Full bodied, great mouth feel, blue fruit, vanilla, tannic grip towards the back-end which mellowed with time. Finish: Medium plus length sense of blue fruit. This wine was really singing by the end of the the evening, the harsh edges had mellowed leaving the fruit to shine.
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A friend and I tasted this in the Woodinville tasting room on 6/11/11. It had a wonderful, ripe and fragrant bouquet of dusty cocoa, smoke, plum, blackberry, spice and loam aromas. The palate was exceptionally smooth, balanced and integrated with flavors of cocoa, plum, blackberry, sage and spice. 91+ points
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Compared to the '07 Buccella Merlot opened a couple weeks ago, this seems almost restrained, a characterization I normally don't associate with Pedestal. Mostly blue fruits and a bit of oak/vanilla on the nose. The palate seems quite tight and in need of a longer decant than I gave it (30 minutes). All the same, this is more approachable young than some earlier vintages I've had. 92 pts today but I think this has very good upside potential.
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Couldn't lay down the whole newly acquired case. Opened one bottle and let breath 1 hour. Fabulous aromas of plum and berries. Deep hued Merlot with broad shoulders and fruit forward. While it certainly will benefit from several years maturing in bottle, it is a block buster even this young. One of the best Merlots I have ever consumed. 93 with a good chance of moving higher in several years.
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•The Stuff: 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Sauv, 7% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, Aged 20 months in 80% new oak, 2005 cases, 14.7%abv •The Swirl: Dark, dark, dark. Looks like the midnight sky with some hints of purple. •The Sniff: Once you get past the tree hugging oak, some big blackberry fruit springs forth. A small shot of spice shoots out too. •The Sip: Intense and immense are the words that come to mind. A concentration of fruit with enough acidity to not make you think fruit bomb. The oak flavors are more subdued on the palate and some nice tannins firm up the back end. Still a young wine but provides intense flavor with 60 second finish •The Score: At $45-$55 I score this wine a 4 (out of 5) – lowered slightly because of the price. An incredibly well made wine for those that want an intense Merlot experience. I would think laying this down for 5 years would reveal a supurb wine for the future.
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Been a big fan of Pedestal ever since TobinW introduced me to it a few years back and the '05 and '06 are amazing, full bodied Merlots. With big dark fruit, butterscotch and a huge finish, the '07 is no different. But, I chose not to decant it and it was angry to be woken up so soon into its late winter nap. Huge, tooth drying, chalky tannins. Not unmanageable, but either wait on this one or decant for at least two hours before drinking. This wine will reward those who wait.
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1/7/2023 - Mjcallison Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still very good
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4/11/2020 - JS1056 wrote: 94 Points
Lovely wine.
Dark fruit, I get plum, maybe a little currant. More herb than spice, some menthol with a mineral backbone with resolved tannins and good acidity. I can’t quite put my finger on the finish but it goes on for a long while.
This is in a good place but probably has at least another 10 years.
The only minor fault is that you know the alcohol level is on the high side (14.7 alcohol). I wouldn’t call it hot but it is there.
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1/30/2020 - Oldmanzin wrote: 94 Points
All the components in this wine are in the right place. Dark fruit, minerality, integrated wood and spring flowers. Wonderful depth and texture. Aromatically pleasing. Great juice!
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1/12/2020 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Surprisingly dark fruit, good spice notes from the integrated oak and wild herbs are showcased in this Washington merlot. There is a good amount of Cabernet that doesn’t go unnoticed. Amazing depth and texture. This wine has the “X” factor that try to find. Great juice.
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12/31/2018 - johnnyo wrote: 93 Points
Super Yummy!
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7/15/2018 - Buffalo Cellars Likes this wine: 88 Points
This has been a fantastic wine! We bought direct from the winery and have carefully stored this wine ever since. On the nose; black cherry, rhubarb and alcohol. On the pallet; black cherry, slight Casis with a beautiful black cherry and plum finish.
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12/29/2017 - johnnyo wrote: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully right now.
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11/7/2017 - bullmrkt wrote: 80 Points
I had hopes time would be kind to this one, but as a friend has said before, no amount of time will fix a mediocre wine. Since nothing has changed, I’ll repost my Feb 2, 2014 note:
“I found this rather disappointing. Both the nose and palate seemed to be closed, one-dimensional, and dominated by oak, alcohol, and nondescript dark fruit. A big "meh" from me, hopefully my remaining bottles are different.”
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10/28/2017 - ScottSherry Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very balanced for a 10 year old vintage of a merlot. It was very pleasant drinking. Went very well with our pasta e fagioli.
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10/25/2017 - louisl wrote:
Nice fruit and acidity, but tannins still a bit harsh. Probably wait a couple years for the next one.
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9/30/2017 - mlawren1 wrote: 88 Points
Nice typical Merlot but not a great wine.
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7/13/2017 - iamandyc Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Really sad to see that my bottle didn't measure up to the high CT and critics scores. My bottle was very unbalanced with grainy, dusty, edgy tannins spoiling the nice merlot (typical USA) fruit. Somewhat better on 2nd day but it never came around. Oh well, can't win 'em all.
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6/29/2017 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
PnP, but 1/2 hr decant would have been better as the wine continued to open in the glass. This wine is a project of Michel Rolland, and is composed of 75% merlot, 15% cab. sauvignon, with the balance being cab. franc & petit verdot. Lots of dark red fruit and cedar on the nose. The medium plus palate is overwhelmed with these same dark red fruits, along with some spice, cedar, and integrated tannins. All of this is balanced with good acidity, and a finish that lingers. This beast of a merlot should last several more years.
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6/18/2017 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Oh no! Last bottle of '07. Still rich and thick and chewy! Perhaps still in need of some air, or time. Or drink now. Still great full fruit and texture. Tannins, too, but smooth ones.
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3/31/2017 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Oh, getting better! Nose of plums, cherries and cocoa. Just velvet on the tongue. Wow. I love this wine, and this is ready. Now.
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3/3/2017 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very similar notes to one popped 1.5 yrs ago - although I believe this bottle better, likely due to provenance. This is as big as a merlot can get. Heavy slathering of the blueberry pie & cocoa. Tannins resolved, leaving a round linear feel. Drink now.
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2/25/2017 - mlawren1 wrote: 92 Points
Really great wine. Plums and cherries with a chocolate hint on the finish.
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12/8/2016 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Might be in a bit of a closed off cycle. Delicious, but muted compared to some of the LS Pedestals I've had. True "cab drinkers" style Merlot. But as I said, not quite as "over the top" as I was expecting. Still great fruit (red, blue) and cocoa, and later with more baking spices. This oughta hold into the next decade (is it really almost 2020???). Keep it safe for now, maybe try it again in a year.
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4/16/2016 - jrglm Likes this wine: 93 Points
This might be my favorite vintage so far. Fantastic wine, drinking beautifully right now.
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4/5/2016 - Redteeth wrote:
CellarTrack indicates this wine is at about the end of its expected life. I have opened two bottles recently and both were in great condition and the wine was very enjoyable. It has a good balance of deep, rich mature fruit and tannins. I expect this wine will keep several more years but it is very nice right now.
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4/2/2016 - Tannic Monster Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pleasing nose of cherry, vanilla, leather, and red licorice. On the palate: silky mouth feel with dried berries, essence of Dr. Pepper, with a pomegranate finish.
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8/4/2015 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed this with a Lamb shank with balsamic demi glaze. Rose pedal and berry nose. Raspberry and mocha on the palate with a slight bit of smokey, toasty oak giving way to vanilla and grape marmalade finish. texture is smooth and inviting with very fine tannins. As I've said before, this guy knows how to get the most out of merlot.
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7/18/2015 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 92 Points
Blueberry nose. Alcoholic, opulent, big & chewy. This is a wine that would've been a class favorite for me 5-6 years ago ... but now as I shy away more from huge wines ... juice such as this just seems to get me drunk too fast.
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7/10/2015 - johnnyo wrote: 93 Points
Lovely wine as always
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5/19/2015 - Al-Vino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Improved significantly on day 2!
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12/31/2014 - johnnyo wrote: 92 Points
Consistently one of my favorite Washington Merlots. Structure, balance, richness of fruit and finish all there.
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12/18/2014 - Rulo123 wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyed with family in town. Has aged nicely. Full bodied with lots of character.
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8/22/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
consistent with notes of 11/3/2013
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4/21/2014 - goodvitis.com wrote: 89 Points
Very hard wine to deal with. Dark ruby red, very thick. Classic Merlot. Nose: fruit and oak jump out. Slight smokiness. Fruits are dark, predominantly plum and blackberries. Medium aromatics. Palate: dusty tannins hit immediately, then the heat comes in. medium acidity at first, but becomes very juicy with air (used Venturi and decanters). Prominent chocolate and raspberries. White pepper, touch of rosemary. Big, lush wine that needs lots of air. The fruit and acidity come out over time, but so does the heat. With almost 3 hours of air, the plum and cherry really come out.This wine could use more cellar time to iron itself out, but I think the flavors are maxed. Finish: fruit, heat, and acidity all hit at once, but the coating dusty tannins dry the mount - and finish - quickly. 1-2 more years in cellar and this wine would make a lot more sense and garner a few more points; my mistake for opening too soon.
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3/7/2014 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well with spices, minerals, currants and oak/vanilla. Medium finish and still should age for a decade.
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2/14/2014 - WAWINEFAN wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Opened up nicely. Enjoyed with a rack of lamb, a beet salad and potatoes on Valentine's day. Big wine - full bodied and yummy.
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2/2/2014 - bullmrkt wrote: 80 Points
I found this rather disappointing. Both the nose and palate seemed to be closed, one-dimensional, and dominated by oak, alcohol, and nondescript dark fruit. A big "meh" from me, hopefully my remaining bottles are different.
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1/5/2014 - SkeBum wrote: 90 Points
Opened and let sit for an hour before drinking, the wine opened up and smoothed out during that time. Wine has good balance with lots of dark fruit on the nose and palate.
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12/16/2013 - sellerscellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always an amazing, elegant bottle of wine. Pomerol in WA state? Highly recommended.
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11/1/2013 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really like this. Blackberry and cranberry are mixed with stone and a touch of earth. Deep and long with a persistent finish.
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9/9/2013 - fredman wrote: 90 Points
Flew into DC from Portland, OR, checked into our hotel, grabbed this bottle from our wine shipper, walked to NOPA restaurant and popped and poured. All things considered, the bottle showed extremely well. Nice array of dark red and black fruit, some hints of baker's chocolate, as well as some mineral notes.
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8/23/2013 - cadams wrote: 92 Points
Really well balanced bottle of wine.
Had really good acidity to tame the dark purple fruit. Not seeing any secondary flavors at this point but drinking beautifully.
Would go great with some red meat, but drank on its own with some appetizers.
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6/28/2013 - gharbour Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice with prime rib. Powerful, smooth, and balanced.
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6/15/2013 - NavyVet6874 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really excellent
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4/13/2013 - prasm wrote: 90 Points
Consumed at dinner party so note is from memory. Nose: Medium expressiveness, earth, blue fruit - plum and blueberry, and a little spice. Palate: Medium-full bodied, ripe blue fruit with gritty tannins and earthiness dominating the mid-palate and dominating a medium length finish.
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3/17/2013 - Mywife69 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Upon opening closed and tight. Drank over a period of approximately 2 hours.
Color: Dark purple color
Nose: Upon opening alcohol. Earthy, spice, light oak
Taste: Black berries, cherries, chocolate, vanilla
Medium finish, balanced tannins. Needs cellaring 3-5 years
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12/31/2012 - g-mango Likes this wine: 90 Points
My tastes are decidedly old-world, so i wasn't expecting to really like this, but was pleasantly suprised. Was not high-octande or over the top, but rather well balanced. Definately is an abundance of fruit, but still remains refined, and the oak is not too overt. Enjoyed this.
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10/16/2012 - ntrubee wrote: 90 Points
Better day 2. Dark fruit. Will hold for several more yrs
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10/15/2012 - dekay wrote: 92 Points
Primary dark berry with a bit of cherry in the background. Somewhat muted on the attack, with mixed berry, vanilla, spice and touch of oak around the perimeter. Moderate tannins, acidity somewhat bright, moderate finish. Could be drunk now, but 2-5 years would help.
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9/22/2012 - artist777 wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Butter and alcohol on the nose. Good fruit on the palate with bing cherries and raspberries. Not as much oak or smoke as I expected but still quite enjoyable. I think this needs to lay for a couple more years. Very nice bottle.
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9/20/2012 - Yamadori wrote:
Decanted 1 hour. Think this bottle was flawed although it did not seem corked. The fruit was very muted with an alarming fall off after the initial entry. Hoping for better from my other bottles. (NR)
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8/25/2012 - fredman wrote: 91 Points
PnP. Nice right out of the box. Black and red fruit; a touch of mocha. Medium-to-long finish. Drink now or hold 3-5 years for maximum enjoyment.
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7/14/2012 - 1964vintage wrote: 90 Points
Nice bottle. Ripe red & black berries; deep purple; smooth; full; spice. Opened up after 30 min in the glass. Day 2 even better. Can lay down for a few more years as well.
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5/19/2012 - drrobvino wrote: 91 Points
TWM tasting- Washington reds: Tasted single blind. Deep purple, revealing ripe red fruit on the nose, certainly brighter than the Leonetti Merlot, but still only mildly fragrant, there is a hint of charcoal embers in the upper register. Flavors are quite tightly wound, but with aeration in the mouth, yields notes of wet soil and wood, supple and velvety tannins in this full bodied red, showing moderate acidity and a nice dark fruit profile. There is a medium- finish, with a kick of nice vanilla at the end. Able to be consumed now, and over the next 15 or so years. Would be a value at $50 (list $56). 89-91 points.
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5/14/2012 - prasm wrote: 90 Points
Consumed over 2 days, note from day 2. Nose: Light to medium expressiveness, earth, plums, and licorice. Palate: Medium-full bodied, ripe plums and earth with a tannic grip in the back-end. Finish: Medium plus length finish dominated by plums and earth. Simple, but concentrated - quite tasty.
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5/7/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 88 Points
Heritage Grand Wine Tasting (Ritz-Carlton - Chicago, IL): Big and massive fruit. Needs some serious time to settle in.
Black fruit, black rock. Earth. Finish a bit abrasive.
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5/3/2012 - MindMuse wrote: 92 Points
Dark ruby with a dense core. Nose of plum, chocolate-covered cherry, coffee, a bit of underbrush. Medium full body, deep succulent plum and black raspberry fruit. Really rich on the palate. Long though somewhat oaky on the finish.
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4/23/2012 - Winerut Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good wine, well balanced, supple, nice dark fruit, long finish. Would definitely buy more.
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4/15/2012 - jrglm Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fantastic wine. Buy it. Drink it. Thank me later.
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4/13/2012 - cbkamp Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big cherry cola, dried herbs, and menthol. Exceptional balance. Bright acidity. Cherry with a hint of oak on the palate - Moves to a black pepper finish. Long finish. Exceptional wine.
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3/11/2012 - garambler wrote: 92 Points
Friends and I tasted this at the Woodinville tasting room on 3/11/12. It had a rich, ripe and fragrant bouquet of plum, black currant, cocoa, toast, smoke and spice aromas. The palate was rich, smooth, round and dry with flavors of plum, blackberry, cocoa, toast and spice. 91+
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2/4/2012 - LelouchViBritannia wrote: 93 Points
Freeload tour in Washington (Bellevue/Woodinville): Winemaker is Michel Rolland. Purple-Red rim, huge vanilla cassis flavors, toasty, creamiest and most decadent wine of the tasting. soft tannins and Medium to long finish. Slightly closed down. Recommended drinking 2015+.
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1/29/2012 - tgkswine wrote: 91 Points
This is still a very young wine but has the ingredients to evolve into something special. Fruit started to show itself after about 3 hours but it was gone beofre we could see what all this has to offer. Very dark in the glass with hints of mocha chocolate, earthy plum and blackberry hints but not quite evolved into one smooth experience.
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12/23/2011 - Porchino wrote: 87 Points
michael rolland consults for these guys what a disapointment
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10/18/2011 - Samsara Likes this wine: 91 Points
La caravane Mark Anthony Brands 2011 au chalet du Parcours du Cerf de Longueuil le 18 octobre 2011.
9 pays, 55 producteurs
Plus de 150 produits
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10/17/2011 - blabbott wrote: 91 Points
Hmmm, this is a lovely wine. Nose has notes of raspberry, blueberry and a little tobacco all of which carry to the pallet You find really nice tannins on the tongue, dark fruit
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9/30/2011 - jefe-alto wrote: 92 Points
Elegant wine. Needs to be decanted or opened 1-2 hours prior to really show its stuff; was drinking very nicely the next day. Or let it rest for a few more years.
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9/5/2011 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Best Western "Honeymoon" suite right on the beach in Lincoln City Oregon
Deep purple, medium to full bodied
Sweet, stewed cherries, jammy nose, ripe figs
Well balanced, good acidity, long finish, mouth filling, jam tart
Will no doubt get better with age
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8/4/2011 - Porchino wrote: 89 Points
Less heat than Cali merlot but not enough fruit to justify price
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6/30/2011 - prasm wrote: 91 Points
Opened 1 hour and vinturied, consumed over 4 hours. Nose: High toned Red (raspberry) and blue (blueberry) fruit scents, creamy vanilla, and spice. Palate: Full bodied, great mouth feel, blue fruit, vanilla, tannic grip towards the back-end which mellowed with time. Finish: Medium plus length sense of blue fruit. This wine was really singing by the end of the the evening, the harsh edges had mellowed leaving the fruit to shine.
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6/26/2011 - jrglm Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rolland meets Shoup (or more accurately, Shoup's merlot grapes). Magic is made in a bottle. Tremendous bottle of wine...again.
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6/11/2011 - garambler wrote: 92 Points
A friend and I tasted this in the Woodinville tasting room on 6/11/11. It had a wonderful, ripe and fragrant bouquet of dusty cocoa, smoke, plum, blackberry, spice and loam aromas. The palate was exceptionally smooth, balanced and integrated with flavors of cocoa, plum, blackberry, sage and spice. 91+ points
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3/2/2011 - Overton wrote: 95 Points
Love this wine! Amazing with a beef carpaccio and capers.
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5/10/2010 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
Compared to the '07 Buccella Merlot opened a couple weeks ago, this seems almost restrained, a characterization I normally don't associate with Pedestal. Mostly blue fruits and a bit of oak/vanilla on the nose. The palate seems quite tight and in need of a longer decant than I gave it (30 minutes). All the same, this is more approachable young than some earlier vintages I've had. 92 pts today but I think this has very good upside potential.
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4/27/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote: 93 Points
Couldn't lay down the whole newly acquired case. Opened one bottle and let breath 1 hour. Fabulous aromas of plum and berries. Deep hued Merlot with broad shoulders and fruit forward. While it certainly will benefit from several years maturing in bottle, it is a block buster even this young. One of the best Merlots I have ever consumed. 93 with a good chance of moving higher in several years.
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3/25/2010 - DrinkNectar Likes this wine: 92 Points
2007 Longshadows Pedestal Merlot
•The Stuff: 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Sauv, 7% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, Aged 20 months in 80% new oak, 2005 cases, 14.7%abv
•The Swirl: Dark, dark, dark. Looks like the midnight sky with some hints of purple.
•The Sniff: Once you get past the tree hugging oak, some big blackberry fruit springs forth. A small shot of spice shoots out too.
•The Sip: Intense and immense are the words that come to mind. A concentration of fruit with enough acidity to not make you think fruit bomb. The oak flavors are more subdued on the palate and some nice tannins firm up the back end. Still a young wine but provides intense flavor with 60 second finish
•The Score: At $45-$55 I score this wine a 4 (out of 5) – lowered slightly because of the price. An incredibly well made wine for those that want an intense Merlot experience. I would think laying this down for 5 years would reveal a supurb wine for the future.
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3/7/2010 - rjhilgers@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Been a big fan of Pedestal ever since TobinW introduced me to it a few years back and the '05 and '06 are amazing, full bodied Merlots. With big dark fruit, butterscotch and a huge finish, the '07 is no different. But, I chose not to decant it and it was angry to be woken up so soon into its late winter nap. Huge, tooth drying, chalky tannins. Not unmanageable, but either wait on this one or decant for at least two hours before drinking. This wine will reward those who wait.
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