Intense red color with copper hue; 1st nose; raisin stems and macerated fruits. 2nd nose; vanilla. On the palate; fruity with mild tannins, big body and chewy with long finish.
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Happily, this Merlot aged well. Part of a New Year’s celebration and all enjoyed the subtle, velvety quality of the wine. Well structured with good red fruit mouthfeel.
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Last of 4 bottles from this vintage. Didn’t know what to expect, concerned that the wine was past its peak. Still a lovely bottle, dark fruit with a touch of cocoa, the tannins are hanging around to provide a solid frame. Moderate finish. Drank with and after dinner, over 2 hours, during which merlot retained all of its initial appeal.
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Wasn't expecting much from this bottle, but it really exceeded my expectations. The nose had a nice dark berry with a hint of cocoa. The overall structure was in balance right away and developed well with some air. I liked the taste initially, with red fruits and berries had slight restrained feel but as the wine loosened up with air the flavors exploded. This wine seems to be right in its prime, highly recommended.
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Deep purple color. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. Big fruit flavors - blueberry, strawberry, cherry. Limited tannins. Structure is nice but the flavors are getting better integrated with a medium finish. The secret is decanting. I gave it 2 hours and it needed it otherwise the fruit is too big.
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Opened 3 hours before drinking, and that wasn't enough time. Was really closed and almost a little bitter at first pour. After about an hour, it opened up beautifully. Very mellow, loads of dark fruit with very smooth tannins. Agree this could fool for a cab.
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Let breathe in bottle for 2 hours, big rich nose with plenty of blackberry and chocolate. Some spices there, too, more than just pepper, and definitely more spicy on the palate than I'd remembered. Lush texture with great fruit/tannin balance. Drinking beautifully now and seems likely to stay that way for at least another couple of years. Well done.
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Decent merlot, drinks a bit like a cab. Black cherry on the nose, dark fruit on the palate, a bit hot right after opening it. Settled down after an hour or so of decant. Earthy finish.
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took to Tom's Good Friday dinner, made the mistake of letting his wife have a glass, now Tom has to buy a case- it was that good, tastes like a cab to me, excellent
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better than previous bottle. We also had a darioush caravan cab 07, the merlot was better. It would fool me in a blind tasting, I would guess cab or blend, certainly as good as any merlot I have had. Everyone preferred the merlot even though the cab has been a long time favorite.
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Great Merlot. Paired wonderfully with a ridiculously good pork chop at Perry's in Dallas. Classic Darioush merlot. Full and rich yet silky smooth. Needed to breathe in the glass for about 20 minutes.
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This is what I would call a cab drinker's merlot. Deep and rich flavors with mild tannins and a great finish. Not a typical fruity, simple merlot. This wine has a complexity to it that isn't common in merlot...compare to Pahlmeyer or Pride.
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2/7/2021 - margaux321 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Intense red color with copper hue; 1st nose; raisin stems and macerated fruits. 2nd nose; vanilla. On the palate; fruity with mild tannins, big body and chewy with long finish.
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1/2/2020 - Wino Laurie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Happily, this Merlot aged well. Part of a New Year’s celebration and all enjoyed the subtle, velvety quality of the wine. Well structured with good red fruit mouthfeel.
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5/24/2018 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last of 4 bottles from this vintage. Didn’t know what to expect, concerned that the wine was past its peak. Still a lovely bottle, dark fruit with a touch of cocoa, the tannins are hanging around to provide a solid frame. Moderate finish. Drank with and after dinner, over 2 hours, during which merlot retained all of its initial appeal.
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11/23/2016 - ccotton8 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wasn't expecting much from this bottle, but it really exceeded my expectations. The nose had a nice dark berry with a hint of cocoa. The overall structure was in balance right away and developed well with some air. I liked the taste initially, with red fruits and berries had slight restrained feel but as the wine loosened up with air the flavors exploded. This wine seems to be right in its prime, highly recommended.
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1/16/2016 - tadams66 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep purple color. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. Big fruit flavors - blueberry, strawberry, cherry. Limited tannins. Structure is nice but the flavors are getting better integrated with a medium finish. The secret is decanting. I gave it 2 hours and it needed it otherwise the fruit is too big.
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11/19/2015 - michigan dogs wrote: 85 Points
I liked it a lot better 2 years ago, too sweet, syruppy
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4/4/2015 - KeithSurg wrote: 90 Points
Needs at least an hour to open up. Fruit overtaken by oaky finish. Nice perfumed, etheral qualities.
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4/15/2014 - Marusso wrote: 90 Points
Blackberry delight!!
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11/21/2012 - Bender Bending Rodriguez wrote: 90 Points
Opened 3 hours before drinking, and that wasn't enough time. Was really closed and almost a little bitter at first pour. After about an hour, it opened up beautifully. Very mellow, loads of dark fruit with very smooth tannins. Agree this could fool for a cab.
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10/21/2012 - MLD70 wrote: 91 Points
Let breathe in bottle for 2 hours, big rich nose with plenty of blackberry and chocolate. Some spices there, too, more than just pepper, and definitely more spicy on the palate than I'd remembered. Lush texture with great fruit/tannin balance. Drinking beautifully now and seems likely to stay that way for at least another couple of years. Well done.
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10/7/2012 - TRock3000 wrote: 90 Points
Great aromatics. Big juicy wine. Very smooth and easy drinking. Dark fruit on the nose, medium finish. The way Merlot should be.
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6/8/2012 - rerail84 wrote:
Opened way too soon. Decanted for 2 hours and it was very closed up.
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4/15/2012 - ChadRS wrote: 91 Points
Decent merlot, drinks a bit like a cab. Black cherry on the nose, dark fruit on the palate, a bit hot right after opening it. Settled down after an hour or so of decant. Earthy finish.
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4/11/2012 - michigan dogs wrote: 92 Points
took to Tom's Good Friday dinner, made the mistake of letting his wife have a glass, now Tom has to buy a case- it was that good, tastes like a cab to me, excellent
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2/24/2012 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Premier Napa Valley Vintage Perspective Tasting Part II: Merlots 2007-2009 (Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies, CIA Greystone, St. Helena, California): Medium red violet color; tart cassis, cedar, black currant nose; plush, ripe black currant, espresso palate with sweet, fine tannins; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus finish 93+ points (100% Merlot; 24 mos. in 70% new French oak; 14.5% alcohol)
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1/24/2012 - MCUBEB wrote: 88 Points
Big juicy Merlot. Nose baking spice, chocolate and cherries. Taste the same as it smells and finishes with notes of toast and pepper.
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11/16/2011 - michigan dogs wrote: 92 Points
better than previous bottle. We also had a darioush caravan cab 07, the merlot was better. It would fool me in a blind tasting, I would guess cab or blend, certainly as good as any merlot I have had. Everyone preferred the merlot even though the cab has been a long time favorite.
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8/19/2011 - kbhiggins wrote: 91 Points
Great Merlot. Paired wonderfully with a ridiculously good pork chop at Perry's in Dallas. Classic Darioush merlot. Full and rich yet silky smooth. Needed to breathe in the glass for about 20 minutes.
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7/2/2011 - pkbackman wrote: 90 Points
Excellent Merlot. Firm tannins and great dark fruit.
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6/21/2011 - cos65 wrote:
This is real wine, is this really merlot? Some dark smoky fruit with some minerally back notes. ****
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5/8/2011 - bcmatthias wrote: 92 Points
Rich, layers of flavors. Some red fruit, not oaky.
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4/20/2011 - cawineaux wrote: 94 Points
This is what I would call a cab drinker's merlot. Deep and rich flavors with mild tannins and a great finish. Not a typical fruity, simple merlot. This wine has a complexity to it that isn't common in merlot...compare to Pahlmeyer or Pride.
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