February 16, 2024 - Big and chewy. Perfect with a beautifully prepared steak.
February 23, 2023 - I really like California merlot from the old school producers. I think they age well and after a few years in the bottle, they can show some good secondary and tertiary characteristics. This wine is very good now and should drink well for another 3-5 years.
Color. Dark red.
Nose. Cherries, currants, bran, cedar, undergrowth, earth.
Palate. Black Cherries, kirsch, cocoa, decent tannic structure, and nice acidity.
August 14, 2022 - Nice juicy and rich fruit leaning towards blackberry, a hint of vanillia from nicely integrated oak, attractive tannins on the finish that are not overbearing. Something a little savoury developing too, olive?
April 11, 2022 - For the hype and cost of Stags' Leap's cabs, I expected more I guess. Fruit didn't stand out, lacked boldness, zero complexity. I was just left wanting more. I guess I just shouldn't build any expectations for one label's varietals based on their other varietals.
March 24, 2022 - Medium bodied merlot with plum, vanilla spice and nice hint of oak in the background. This was enjoyable to drink.
October 9, 2021 - No theme "grab bag" double-blind family tasting (The homestead): This was part of a double-blind tasting with some family members, among six other red wines with no specified theme. After the first sip, I immediately identified this as a Napa red. I had previous knowledge of my oldest brother having been gifted a set of 2016 Stags' Leap Merlot/Malbec package, plus he has a very limited cellar, so I knew exactly what this was, so I guessed that this was the Merlot (we had previously drunk the Malbec already). The Napa character here was clear, but the quality of this Merlot was not that great - certainly not the depth or character of the Malbec. If scoring, 86 - 87.
October 2, 2021 - Solid, restrained, ok but not exciting
September 28, 2021 - Gifted this bottle. Very good. Concentrated fruit . Good balance.
August 5, 2021 - Agree with Ortiz Brown's 11/21/20 note.
January 31, 2021 - Deep, dark fruit with a long finish. Aging very well. Makes all red meats special.