Community Tasting Note
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Whisky&Wine Likes this wine: 92 points
March 1, 2021 - Pronounced red fruits with a nose of.leather and some candied violets. Complex, with tannins resolved and still plenty of life. The acidity of the midpalate was reminiscent of a torte pergole 2007 I had last year. Excellent wine to enjoy with rich or earthy foods.
Very enjoyable and at peak. Should be in fine form at least until 2023.
Not nearly as good as the 2003 at its peak or the 2008, 2009 or 2010, but still excellent.
Cork was hard to remove. Very tight. Decanted at 60 degree cellar temp for 2 hours before serving.
Tried with a nub of 70% cacao chocolate from Ghana after dinner. Really nice pairing.1 person found this helpful 1,534 views
3 Comments
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Purple Tooth commented:
3/1/21, 7:24 PM - Thanks fir the note and referencing other vintages. I drank the 06 rive droite Saturday and was thinking of opening this (2004 Merlot) along with the 2003 Merlot side by side. The 06 is still smoking good. Agree that this is softening. I have these in magnum format and I need to get on it. I don’t know many Merlot enthusiasts. Drink your b’s and be well! PT
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Whisky&Wine commented:
3/1/21, 7:35 PM - The 2009 is really singing at the moment if.you have any. Sadly the last 2003 I had was past peak. Still enjoyable but no longer magic.
Blankiet is my favorite napa merlot. Have tried a number of others which I have found to be too jammy. I love continuum proprietary red blend in years when it has less cab sauv and more merlot, pv and cab franc. If they ever bottled those latter 3 as stand alone wines I'd be excited to try them. But in the meantime, can snag 2014 continuum. Cepage for the 2014 as well as the 2016 and 2018 which I have not tried yet is low cab sauv on all three (~50%) and some of the merlot, pv and cf characteristics really shine through. -
Purple Tooth commented:
3/1/21, 7:40 PM - Try a Middle aged Paloma. Maybe a 2004 or 2008.