2002 Craneford Merlot John Zilm

Community Tasting Notes (24) Avg Score: 92.1 points

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  11/7/2016 - bon vivant wrote: 92 Points

  Gave this a 30 min decant and drank over a couple of hrs. This would have been a very hard wine to pick up in a blind tasting as it was very unique. The closest i could think of would have been a WA red with big extraction, but one of a much younger wine. The aromas are of red fruit and a fair amount of small blue fruit and some spice which can be attributed to wood treatment but at this point it is more a note of slight cedar and spice market than barrel so it doesn't stick out. This looks and drinks more like a wine of half it's age, and as such i would extend the drinking window to another 5 years, and it would probably last longer. There is a full mouth plushness here that i can associate with old wine quality Zin, and the wine is medium to full in texture. Not much in complexity but solid flavor. An extroverted hedonistic wine, but not overdone so serve with robust foods such as stews or grilled meat and game which will appeal more to fruit lovers than those seeking old world finesse and elegance. There is plenty of underlying acidity here that keeps it all in check and well balanced with a pleasant finish. May warrant a slightly higher score id it sees more flavor development.

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  10/21/2016 - WinoRick wrote: 94 Points

  Wow, an obscure bottle in the corner of my cellar, merlot no less. Musty, earthy nose. Soft, dark fruit mouth. Not at all tired. I think this wine is on a pleasant plateau.

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  5/19/2016 - jskuek wrote: 90 Points

  Nose: Sweet, Ribena
  Colour: Purple, no sign of aging
  Body: Med+ complexity with hit of lychee. long finishing

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  4/19/2013 - prasm Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Consumed over 2 days, note from day 2. Nose: Medium-plus expressiveness, obviously super rich - blueberry syrup, rhubarb pie, licorice, and shoe leather. Palate: Full bodied - full throttled, rich sweet dark fruit - stewed plums, spice, decent acidic kick that helps balance the super sweet attack, big spike of super sweet dark fruit and acid mid-palate. Finish: Lengthy sense of rhubarb and mincemeat pie. Not your traditional merlot, but it works for me in a very weird way.

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  12/24/2012 - TK Mastres Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Wonderful black fruit and richness on the front and mid, finish is moderate and pleasant. You can immediately tell his is not a Napa Merlot, there is no dryness or dustiness in the tannins. Overall a balanced wine even though it presents with a bit of sweetness. My last bottle, wish I had more.

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