December 25, 2018 - Outstanding. Still years to go.
November 21, 2018 - This was a lovely wine. No formal notes. It was enjoyed by all.
November 28, 2016 - Wow, have been holding this for a long time, waiting for additional notes to surface. Finally pulled the cork and let air in the bottle below shoulder for about 2 hours before drinking. Great fruit and just starting to show secondary flavors. Still dark purple color, so suspect this could go for some time ... if I had another bottle, I'd be looking to pull in 2018~19.
August 4, 2014 - Still a young colt...good bones that will hold up.
Hold at least until 2018.
August 2, 2014 - This bottle seemed a bit like it was just trying to come alive but it wasn't quite ready yet. 3 hour decant and it was extremely pleasing just not there yet. Drink from 2016-2020
December 27, 2013 - Still fairly young and bright, but some secondary character is starting to emerge with this bottle. A bit "Right Bank" in styling. Nice interplay between the fruit and acidity. That along with some tannins that emerge, suggest this has probably got the backbone to last quite awhile. Will decant the rest of it, as I'm hoping some air will serve to meld all the component parts and fill this out. If that happens, RP's score would not be unrealistic. As it is on the pop - 92 points.
December 25, 2012 - Ripe black cherry and blackberry with a smooth vein of smoky oak that runs right down your tongue; still youngish and tannic despite three hour decant. Still needs time in my view.
August 10, 2011 - Wow! What a difference two years can make. Intense flavors now without any of the sour-raw touch from two years ago. Bold, fruity and lovely sweetness, makes it impossible to stop drinking.
April 9, 2011 - Nils Venge strikes again! Really wonderful wine...tied with '92 Keenan Spring Mountain Special Selection Cab for WOTN. I am told the '92 was made by Randy Dunn. The '04 Mernet is a classic St. Emilion style blend... attractive nose with seductive blueberry and chocolate palate... ... still has plenty of oomph for another 10 years of aging ... very well balanced with acidity and tannins... the oak is very deftly done - it opened up nicely over the course of a couple of hours ... highly recommended ... cheers !
June 20, 2010 - Smooth tannins, lots of dark fruit from the merlot, especially. Drinking very well right now.