4th Saturday group uptown tasting (R&D's): Double blind. Reticent. Black fruit and pepper; a bit hot, showing some alcohol. Cassis and dark fruit dominate the palate- has a rustic quality to it. I guessed Rutherford cabernet sauvignon- this showed no cab franc character whatsoever.
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Opened and let air in the fridge an hour before drinking with a dinner of seared pork chops, grilled red potatoes, and steamed broccoli. Deep, dark, sappy Crimson color. Nose brings cherry cobbler baking spices, tart raspberries, wild herbs, raspberry menthol, and plenty of vanilla wafer cookies. The palate is full, extracted, hot, and wobbly, bringing waves of rich blackberries, chocolate cherries, tangy raspberries, old musty leather, nutmeg, and sweet baking spices. The finish is slightly hot yet resolved with a nice integration of tannins and acidity, and it lingers for 30+ seconds. Still, like a lot of Napa wines from the mid-2000's, the sum of the parts outweighs the whole. I prefer a classic music album over a hit single any day. Drink over the next few years.
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Wine is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Cabernet Franc. Merryvale is among top of our wine expectations. Wine was very dark red in color w/ aromas of currents, black cherry, violets & cedar followed by vanilla & toasted oak notes.
However, tannins are still there but have faded. As w/ the great '07 vintage, should have consumed sooner in its youth. While winemaker indicated aging for 10 years+, sense this wine should be consumed sooner than later...
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9/23/2017 - AllRed wrote: 86 Points
4th Saturday group uptown tasting (R&D's): Double blind. Reticent. Black fruit and pepper; a bit hot, showing some alcohol. Cassis and dark fruit dominate the palate- has a rustic quality to it. I guessed Rutherford cabernet sauvignon- this showed no cab franc character whatsoever.
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11/8/2016 - Chip & Susanne Likes this wine: 94 Points
Simply an extraordinarily elegant wine! Close to peaking.
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11/7/2015 - Chip & Susanne Likes this wine: 95 Points
Incredible wine needing good 30 minutes to breath into full life. Soft tannins surround an amazing well-structured mouthful of dark fruit.
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7/27/2015 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened and let air in the fridge an hour before drinking with a dinner of seared pork chops, grilled red potatoes, and steamed broccoli. Deep, dark, sappy Crimson color. Nose brings cherry cobbler baking spices, tart raspberries, wild herbs, raspberry menthol, and plenty of vanilla wafer cookies. The palate is full, extracted, hot, and wobbly, bringing waves of rich blackberries, chocolate cherries, tangy raspberries, old musty leather, nutmeg, and sweet baking spices. The finish is slightly hot yet resolved with a nice integration of tannins and acidity, and it lingers for 30+ seconds. Still, like a lot of Napa wines from the mid-2000's, the sum of the parts outweighs the whole. I prefer a classic music album over a hit single any day. Drink over the next few years.
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5/20/2015 - Chip & Susanne Likes this wine: 89 Points
Wine is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Cabernet Franc. Merryvale is among top of our wine expectations. Wine was very dark red in color w/ aromas of currents, black cherry, violets & cedar followed by vanilla & toasted oak notes.
However, tannins are still there but have faded. As w/ the great '07 vintage, should have consumed sooner in its youth. While winemaker indicated aging for 10 years+, sense this wine should be consumed sooner than later...
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5/1/2015 - Corrie Likes this wine: 89 Points
Prefer this grape in a blend.
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5/27/2013 - Bigfresser wrote: 90 Points
Very nice fruit in this wine. Robust like most 07's.
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12/30/2010 - vegasoenophile wrote: 87 Points
Nose of graphite, flowers and red berries. Nice profile and good flavors.
- Tasted at winery 12/30/10
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10/24/2010 - WillV12345 wrote: 94 Points
Smooth for a franc. Could easily see this with roast turkey for Thanksgiving.
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