September 2, 2022 - This did not reach the impressive level of earlier bottles for me when first opened. It was OK a few hours after opening and accompanied grilled steak quite well but it seemed a bit flat and ordinary. Next day, with cheese, the fruit came through a little more positively but the end taste still had a little too much acidity and tannin.
However, a third of a bottle was tasted on the second and third days and improved greatly over that time. Good fruit on the fragrant nose and there was enough remaining soft acidity and tannin to accompany food with style.
Perhaps it suffered at first from being served with other reds (including ‘sweeter’ Malbecs and a bottle of 20 year old Ch. Musar at a family gathering. Maybe it it is time to move on to younger vintages but my initial reaction was too harsh, given the way it developed after opening. I have added a point.
August 18, 2022 - Very luxe nose, feels more merlot based than claimed with a grated chocolate character and a plushness to the silky red fruits. Very well done though. Look forward to the second half tomorrow.
December 31, 2021 - This has come together beautifully. Pretty much as my earlier notes but even better after another 18 months in the cellar - more ‘together’. It retains the deep colour, fine nose, ‘sweet’ dark cherry fruit, good soft tannins, balance, and length. Excellent. Plenty of life, yet.
December 19, 2021 - Blackfruits and licorice on the nose. A medium-weight body with a hint of tannins remaining. Smooth sailing on this one.
January 4, 2021 - Retrospective note. Tasted many times 2015-2016. Superb wine with tertiary notes already coming through. Will look for more.
July 17, 2020 - As my note of 8 Feb 2020. I add this because it seemed a little stalky at first and was a tad disappointing. This surprised me and I was relieved to find it much better next day and even better on the second day after opening. Excellent fruit, balance, juicy acidity and food-friendly soft, spicy tannins as before. This augurs well for an attractive few years yet for this fine Bordeaux blend.
May 15, 2020 - Like a ripe, fruity médoc, good QPR, great to drink now but will last a few years more. 89-90pts.
February 8, 2020 - Fruity, savoury nose. Soft, red/black cherry fruit with some 'farmyard', meaty, umami flavours at first (new to me in this wine) but these faded and had vanished 30 mins later. Fragrance and spice developed on the nose as it opened and the soft, juicy fruit took over. Good acidity and length with soft, integrated tannins. Very good with food later (slow-cooked beef rump steaks with smoked bacon, onion and porcini mushrooms).
June 8, 2019 - I always enjoy the John X Merriman after at least 5 years. This vintage is no exception now we have finished all the 2011. Good fruit, lots of character and spice, Great balance and length. No need for a detailed note from me since earlier notes say it all. Excellent Cab and it has plenty of life ahead. Brilliant value when I look back to what I paid for it a few years ago.
February 25, 2019 - Graphite, black fruit, oak with hints of leather and chocolate. Elegant with medium to full body, good acidity and long satisfying finish. Easy drinking.