Took to a WA Merlot "offline" event where it was part of a mini-vertical with 2008, 2009, 2010. My palate was probably shot as these were the last wines following 20 other Merlot or Merlot-dominant wines tasted.
That day 2010 was probably my favorite wine of the day out of 20-something wines, and also in the 4-bottle vertical.
However, I had a little of this 2011 left over 2 days later and it showed beautifully, with Bordeaux-like qualities. (One other person at the tasting thought it was picked too early in what was admittedly a challenging and cold year, but I didn't think it was prematurely harvested at all.)
I'm not a big Merlot guy, but I found this on the 3rd day to be delicious with good complexity retained even after the elapsed time. As good as it tasted on the 3rd day, it may have even eclipsed the 2010 had I had it available to compare, but who knows.
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Fairly dark with a light rim. Nose showed plum and a little cocoa powder. Medium bodied with a soft, plush mouthfeel. Evolved fruit echoed the nose with some primary flavors. Tannins quite softened but evident. Medium+ finish. Did not feel that this was over the hill or subject to the sharp acidity and green notes of the vintage.
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Amazing cabernet; the fruit is classic and pure without crossing a line that is too fruit forward. Tension between the fruit and acidity and tannins is well balanced. Long finish. Stunning how good this was, almost right out of the bottle and stayed classy over several hours.
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12/17/2023 - smnlng wrote:
With the Heldridge’s 12/18/23
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11/4/2023 - SeaWine Likes this wine:
Took to a WA Merlot "offline" event where it was part of a mini-vertical with 2008, 2009, 2010. My palate was probably shot as these were the last wines following 20 other Merlot or Merlot-dominant wines tasted.
That day 2010 was probably my favorite wine of the day out of 20-something wines, and also in the 4-bottle vertical.
However, I had a little of this 2011 left over 2 days later and it showed beautifully, with Bordeaux-like qualities. (One other person at the tasting thought it was picked too early in what was admittedly a challenging and cold year, but I didn't think it was prematurely harvested at all.)
I'm not a big Merlot guy, but I found this on the 3rd day to be delicious with good complexity retained even after the elapsed time. As good as it tasted on the 3rd day, it may have even eclipsed the 2010 had I had it available to compare, but who knows.
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8/8/2023 - PDXinSEA wrote: 90 Points
Fairly dark with a light rim. Nose showed plum and a little cocoa powder. Medium bodied with a soft, plush mouthfeel. Evolved fruit echoed the nose with some primary flavors. Tannins quite softened but evident. Medium+ finish. Did not feel that this was over the hill or subject to the sharp acidity and green notes of the vintage.
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6/23/2023 - Wine12345 wrote: 88 Points
Sorry to say, but this bottle was past its prime. Drink now or toss it later.
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5/12/2023 - bularry Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing cabernet; the fruit is classic and pure without crossing a line that is too fruit forward. Tension between the fruit and acidity and tannins is well balanced. Long finish. Stunning how good this was, almost right out of the bottle and stayed classy over several hours.
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