August 23, 2012 - Still very drinkable.
December 25, 2011 - This wine is in a damn good place. Its dark opaque ruby and comes to me with dark red fruits on the nose, oak-driven vanilla, some cocoa dust and earthiness. The body is full and hits the front palate with stewed red fruits, silky tannins, all-spice(?), cutting to a good slice of acidity on the mid-palate and then developing to the rear with oak/vanilla notes and some cocoa dust(?). The finish bears a touch of heat to me, and stands up the tannins a bit, however it still holds a good fruit-driven finish for 30+. I took a lot of time exploring this wine, finally had the time to relax maybe, this was a welcome treat. Felt like its getting on in years but still has some time, one more bottle left in reserve I'll sit on for a bit. I'd go 92 on this. Its been decanting for 3 hours, toss on two more while sipping and dwelling, and it has not really developed anything further other than smoothing out and really opening up on what it first brought to the table. Saving one glass for 2 hours from now however feel confident enough to post now.
October 29, 2011 - Very dark red color. I've wanting to try this for some time. Finally felt like the time was right. Nose shows oak, chocolate, spices, mild earth, ripe cassis. The palate is fleshy, deep, and full with cassis, and ripe berries, mocha, spices, and wood, good length. Very nice wine in no danger of fading. Paired with flash seared ahi tuna steaks beautifully.
March 31, 2011 - Emergency pop and pour ;) We pulled the foil off weeks ago and ended up not opening...thus the emergency. First taste is gooood. Will update later.
This is just beautiful! The nose has beautiful floral components, red and purple fruit and spice notes. Tastes similar with big purple fruits, baking spices, and black pepper and fruit on the a nice long finish. Just a fantastic wine, and was approachable instantly upon opening. I'd love to have a case of this!
March 20, 2010 - Drank this bottle b.c of all the reviews on CT saying to drink it now. it drank beautifully tonight. silky and chewy, just the right amount of age. delicious merlot!@
November 8, 2009 - gone
October 3, 2009 - Very nice. Earthy, with a hint of blueberry, cream and some good tannins. Agree it might be time to drink up, though...
September 14, 2009 - Washington Wine Commision tasting (Rooftop Terrace, Millenium Park, Chicago IL): Nose: plush and beautiful nose of red currants, berries, all sorts of red fruits, and cherries. Excellent depth with a real nice purity to it
taste: velvety and polished medium feel with excellently balanced tones of red currants, berries, bits of spices and red cherries. Very smooth tannins back this up and give it a spine, but this is drinking perfectly
overall: a real polished and lovely merlot. Well balanced with wonderful plush tones on both the palate and nose, this has a real attractive quality to it with really good depth that is right in its prime
August 16, 2009 - Red fruit, black licorice, leather. Delicious, smooth, long-lasting. Terrific.
August 12, 2009 - Nice red fruit, great cigar tobacco and cedar. Probably on the down slope, but I have enough left to see how it will do tonight. Another powerful, full-bodied, merlot from adults from Reininger.