Community Tasting Note

• Canoehead Likes this wine: 91 points

  December 18, 2017 - Truly the only thing holding this wine back is its price. Its a $50 wine in a $100 bottle. Opened two bottles at a blind tasting of premium Merlots and this wine took a back seat to a $30 Van Westen Voluptuous. All the elements are here - enticing aromatics of blue and black fruit secondaries, good balance of acidity and fine-grain tannins, a medium-plus finish. Just not at the QPR I want for $100...

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8 Comments

• Francois Le Mouel commented:

  12/18/17, 5:27 PM - Was the Voluptuous from 2011?...This isn't the best vintage as you know and personally I prefer the Maestoso at around 8-9 years of age. Maybe a few more years will bring more complexity to this wine. The 2008 is currently incredible...I'm having a Magnum of this wine during Christmas:) Cheers!

• Canoehead commented:

  12/19/17, 11:22 AM - Bonjour Francois! It was a 2009 VW Voluptuous - two bottles opened of each in the blind Merlot tasting and the Van Westen surpassed the '11 Maestoso. Obviously different expressions of Merlot (and the former has 1/3 Cab Franc in the mix) and very different vintages. But one can't ignore the massive price differential. Next time we'll plan to have a Meritage blind tasting when you come out to Victoria - you can put a couple of bottles of Nota Bene in the mix and we'll see how it goes.

• Francois Le Mouel commented:

  12/20/17, 10:08 PM - Ahhh, 2009 is probably my favorite BC vintage. So many great wines from this vintage (Icon Red, Nota Bene, Maestoso, Portfolio, Grand Total...). I'll make sure to bring some really good vintages of Nota Bene...maybe an Addendum 2012 (Nota Bene Reserve from 2012)...I will try my first bottle this Christmas. Cheers!

• darrenv commented:

  12/25/17, 8:40 AM - Francois, firstly, you needn't bring wine....we have plenty ;)
  The Maestoso, I don't think will get better. This one was not tannic, at least I didn't find. I found this fruity, but smooth like the Lamaione (Italian mistaken for Napa). It's good for certain, but as I like to say, if I had $100 in my pocket and freedom of choice....I wouldn't exit the store with this in hand :)

• Canoehead commented:

  12/26/17, 10:50 AM - Francois, all due respect to my friend, Darren, but please feel free to bring a bottle or two when you come out to Victoria this year. Would love to try the Addendum up against other meritage offerings. We'll prepare some simply roasted spring lamb with new vegetables, etc. Have a happy and prosperous new year ... à votre santé!

• darrenv commented:

  12/26/17, 11:14 AM - Of course the Addendum would be a welcome offering! (especially since we can't get it ;) )

• Francois Le Mouel commented:

  12/27/17, 10:15 AM - I'm opening a magnum of Maestoso 2008 tonight...in St-Croix (U.S.V.I)...will let you know how it is. I'll post a few notes on the wines I had since I left.

• darrenv commented:

  12/27/17, 10:40 AM - How many in your party? ;)
  I received three Turley zinfandel, different vineyards and vintages for Christmas.

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