Important Update From the Founder Read message >

Merlot Smackdown

Oakland - Blago and Luiza's Place

Tasted August 17, 2013 by Martin Redmond with 347 views

Flight 1 (1 note)

Red
2007 Kunde Estate Merlot USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
86 points
Dark ruby color with straight-forward cherry, and vanilla aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and smooth with soft tannins, and cherry, vanilla and bit of spice aromas.

Flight 2 (1 note)

Red
2009 Château Arnauton France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac
88 points
Garnet color with mixed black and red fruit, graphite, bittersweet chocolate and vanilla aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, focused, and fruit forward wiht black cherry, cassis, bittersweet chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Flight 3 (1 note)

Red
2007 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Merlot Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County
87 points
Dark garnet color with fresh cherry, tobacco, and vanilla aromas. On the palate, it medium-bodied and fruity with black cherry, cassis, and vanilla flavors

Flight 4 (1 note)

Red
2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
86 points
Dark ruby color with black cherry, black currant, vanilla and a hint of leather aromas. On the palate, it's fruity and medium-bodied with black cherry, cassis, and vanilla flavors

Flight 5 (1 note)

Red
2010 Chateau St. Jean Merlot California USA, California
86 points
Garnet color with cherry, plum, and vanilla aromas. On the palate, it's light-bodied, and smooth with straight-forward, but enjoyable cherry, black currant flavors.

Flight 6 (1 note)

Red
2011 Gnarly Head Merlot USA, California
87 points
Ruby color with cherry red-fruit, vanilla and dark chocolate aromas. On the palate, it's medium, with a soft mouthfeel and cherry, red currant, and vanilla flavors.

Flight 7 (1 note)

Red
2009 Rombauer Vineyards Merlot Carneros USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
89 points
Ruby color with black cherry, plum, leather, and a hint of mint aromas. On the palate, it's deftly balanced fruit, acid, and supple tannins, and shows black cherry, black currant, plum, vanilla flavors.

Flight 8 (1 note)

Red
2010 Crane Family Vineyards Merlot Don Raffaele Estate USA, California, Napa Valley
89 points
Very dark ruby color with cherry, blueberry, cedarwood, and vanilla aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, and focused with black currant, black cherry, and vanilla flavors

Flight 9 (1 note)

Red
2011 Raymond Merlot USA, California, Napa Valley
87 points
Ruby color with red fruit, leather, and black currant aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with dusty tannins, and cassis, black cherry, and mineral flavors.

Flight 10 (1 note)

Red
2008 Jason Stephens Winery Merlot Estate USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Clara Valley
87 points
Ruby black color with mixed cherry, vanilla and cedarwood aromas. On the palate it approaches full-bodied, with soft tannins and cherry, and vanilla flavors.
© 2003-24 CellarTracker! LLC.

Report a Problem

Close