The nose is slightly tired and oxidized but also minty and woody. On the palate still alive with a pomegranate-cherry, coffee flavors. The acidity is on decline. It was poured from a magnum and I still liked it, but would not wait with drinking.
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For a Merlot, I found this to be very dry and slightly metallic, however with patience opened up to some fruit with a nice finish. Hoping a little time will smooth this one out a bit, but enjoyable now.
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Nice fruity aromas, plenty of plums. some cassis, and a good dose of oak. Fleshy fruit palate. Slightly thin and something metallic in there. But easy immediate drinking. Probably should have bought the cabernet though.
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Compared to the Cabernet bottling-which was excellent, this is a huge disappointment. It's hard to believe this is the same producer. If they were smart, they would have de-classified this or sold it bulk, but instead they chose to soil the reputation.
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This wine was popped and poured, served with grilled chicken and salmon. Opaque purple/ruby robe. The nose is moderately intense, opening over one hour to show aromas of black currants, red currants and earth, with an underlying metallic odor. Full-bodied on the palate, with tart acidity, medium sweet tannins and black fruit flavors which play a background role to what is otherwise a metallic taste profile. This metallic taste persists throughout the middle palate and the medium-length finish borders on overtly sour. While I cannot rule out that this is not simply a bad bottle, it appears more likely that it is an over-manipulated disaster. Drink never.
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This has me rethinking the overlooked but flattering aspects of Cali merlot - this is a supple and elegant medium-soft wine with well-balanced cherry and plum fruit and sweet oak, but it also offers some dusty tannins for complexity and depth. Good with food and for sipping.
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Color is violet. Nose is dark fruit, some oak, has kind of an old world bordeaux smell to it.
Attack is dark fruit, blackberry. Nice tannic structure, a little astringent. Very dry. Medium finish. Not knocking my socks off, but pretty good. This is another one to decant to see if that helps, as it is showing young.
3/5
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11/12/2015 - say66what wrote: 85 Points
The nose is slightly tired and oxidized but also minty and woody. On the palate still alive with a pomegranate-cherry, coffee flavors. The acidity is on decline. It was poured from a magnum and I still liked it, but would not wait with drinking.
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1/2/2012 - jww3 Likes this wine: 87 Points
For a Merlot, I found this to be very dry and slightly metallic, however with patience opened up to some fruit with a nice finish. Hoping a little time will smooth this one out a bit, but enjoyable now.
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5/7/2011 - moods wrote: 84 Points
Nice fruity aromas, plenty of plums. some cassis, and a good dose of oak. Fleshy fruit palate. Slightly thin and something metallic in there. But easy immediate drinking. Probably should have bought the cabernet though.
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3/1/2011 - Durants wrote:
the wrong tickets were printed, should have been the sinzin alexander valley zinfandel
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2/22/2011 - cbuhlman wrote: 79 Points
Compared to the Cabernet bottling-which was excellent, this is a huge disappointment. It's hard to believe this is the same producer.
If they were smart, they would have de-classified this or sold it bulk, but instead they chose to soil the reputation.
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2/2/2011 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 75 Points
This wine was popped and poured, served with grilled chicken and salmon. Opaque purple/ruby robe. The nose is moderately intense, opening over one hour to show aromas of black currants, red currants and earth, with an underlying metallic odor. Full-bodied on the palate, with tart acidity, medium sweet tannins and black fruit flavors which play a background role to what is otherwise a metallic taste profile. This metallic taste persists throughout the middle palate and the medium-length finish borders on overtly sour. While I cannot rule out that this is not simply a bad bottle, it appears more likely that it is an over-manipulated disaster. Drink never.
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9/16/2010 - hutch wrote: 87 Points
Solid. Good structure. Nice. 87-88
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9/12/2010 - pgb67 wrote: 90 Points
This has me rethinking the overlooked but flattering aspects of Cali merlot - this is a supple and elegant medium-soft wine with well-balanced cherry and plum fruit and sweet oak, but it also offers some dusty tannins for complexity and depth. Good with food and for sipping.
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5/9/2010 - Paul_Stagg wrote: 83 Points
Color is violet. Nose is dark fruit, some oak, has kind of an old world bordeaux smell to it.
Attack is dark fruit, blackberry. Nice tannic structure, a little astringent. Very dry. Medium finish. Not knocking my socks off, but pretty good. This is another one to decant to see if that helps, as it is showing young.
3/5
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4/5/2010 - East Dallas Wino Likes this wine: 90 Points
My favorite merlot at the price point. Full bodied, fruit forward and fairly complex.
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