Boerne Wine Club - Merlot

Another enjoyable evening at the Scenic Loop Café, who again had great service and food. The theme was Merlot that had been scored >90 points in the wine trade, and while attendance was down slightly this week, we had plenty of wine to go around. Of note, I’ve never been enamored with Merlot, but do enjoy the Merlot blends from Bordeaux.
Reminder that these notes are my own, and are in no way superior to other opinions, which is what is so great about wine—there are no “wrong” answers. Of note, my own bias is toward complex structured wines, and I tend not to enjoy fruit driven jammy wines as much, and this is reflected in my notes below.

• 2005 Bravante Vineyards Merlot 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Big nose of cedar, plum, sweet candied fruits. Palate was slightly acidic and well structures with tobacco, charcoal, toast, and other earth flavors. medium finish, good complexity with earthy notes being most prominent. This was well balanced and structured, and exceedingly pleasant. Improved with time in the glass. My #1, Group #1

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• 2006 Trespass Vineyard Rendezvous 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  At the wine tasting, decanted an hour beforehand, and even then was tight with little nose. Eventually showed some red fruit, herbs, and tea leaves. Full dense palate, but distractingly tannic, with dense complex dark fruits and spices. Lengthy finish. A touch of heat on the finish. My #2, Group #2
  
  After going home and spending some time with this wine, it really improved. After decanted an hour, it was still tight and unforgiving. After 3hrs really started to show well. Sweet dark fruits on the nose with cassis and raspberry highlights, tea leaves, and mushrooms. Acidic palate, with touch of heat on the back end. Palate with dense fruit, fine tannin, and an herbal streak. Lengthy finish with red fruits, spices, mocha, and charcoal. Showing well after lots of air, really needs some time.

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• 2005 Cougar Crest Merlot 88 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Big ripe fruit flavors, with plum on the nose. Very ripe, lush, round palate, but a pleasant spice quality. Medium finish, with a little cedar and toast. Dense full flavor. Nice, but the ripe style while not overdone, isn't what I enjoy in merlot. My #5, Group #3

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• 2006 Chappellet Merlot 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Upon opening was quite acidic, thin palate with a short finish, rather disappointing given its rather good recent performance at the winery.
  After an hour or so, had put on some weight, with pure clean red fruit flavors, fine tannin, and a milk chocolate finish. Good, but seemed better at the winery. Continued to improve in the glass. My #3, Group #4

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• 2006 Opolo Merlot Reserve 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District

  Reduced/stewed fruits on the nose, with a nutty character in the background. Full syrupy mouthfeel with currants and plum and raspberry highlights. Mouthfeel more typical of Zin than Merlot. Medium finish, with dark fruits, maybe more black cherry, though slightly simple. Big fruit driven style, ends up a little simple, but pleasant and enjoyable. My #6, Group #5

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• 2005 Pepper Bridge Merlot 87 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Initially this was quite impressive, with a strong oak influence but equally strong fruit flavors and nice complexity. With time in the glass the fruit started to fade and the oak influence became more harsh with dry tannins and strong cedar and toast flavors. heavy oak seemed to be an attempt to add complexity. Plum and currant flavors noticeable. My #4, Group #6

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Overall , a very enlightening tasting with many different styles of merlot presented. The Bravante had the most 1st place votes, while the Trespass was ranked by everyone, had only 1 first place vote, and therefore the Bravante won the tie breaker and Wine of the Night. This wine was brought by Tim, who took home a bottle of 2006 Dumol Russian River Valley Syrah, a personal favorite of mine. A great time yet again. Until next time.