May 24, 2021 - Sehr guter Wein. 2005er war im 2021 noch genial.
August 5, 2017 - APPEARANCE: Nice medium red color with some browning around the edges
AROMA: Heavy doses of blueberry. Amazing nose for an older wine
TASTE: Nice balance of tannin and slight acidity. Paired nicely with grilled NY Strip steak
January 31, 2017 - Drank at 2017 Book Challenge first monthly meeting.
Paired with char-grilled steak.
Lovely bouquet with hints of blueberries and cedar.
Medium body, ruby color
Fruit is fading but still with caresses of cassis and currants, plum, chocolate, and Indian spices are in play. The tannins are not fully integrated but this is not a bad time to drink this bottle as I am not sure further age would balance that more. Beautiful old bottle.
July 8, 2015 - This 10 year old has held up very well. Great ruby red color, excellent body and some residual tannins say it's not ready to roll over yet. Light on the nose but black cherry on the front, cassis, leather and good acidity with a long finish with a chalky texture (but not in a bad way--just unique). It still has life but please drink in the next couple years.
Grgich makes great Merlot. One of my top 5 favorites for certain.
December 24, 2013 - The oak hits you in the face right off the bat. Finish is a little off. Nose of black cherry and blackberry. Tannic. Despite that, once opened for a little while this Merlot opened up and mellowed. People in our party were split. Half really enjoying it and the other half finding it wanting. Still, I found the wine to be pleasant and full flavored though failing at the finish.
May 17, 2013 - drink up!
The wine looks Crimson colored. The body is Medium. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Short.
April 13, 2013 - Really nice - nose of sandalwood and spice. Tight at first due to it's age, but opened up in an hour or so. Characteristic Merlot flavors of plum, with chocolate overtones. Excellent.
February 4, 2013 - Subdued nose with hints of tobacco and some woodsy earthiness. Nice color with perhaps just the earliest signs of bricking. This may be just a bit past it's peak. Virtually tannin-free on the palate sill with good body. The fruit is long gone but what is left is a soft wine with a long earthy but enjoyable finish. Still very enjoyable but drink up soon if you still have this in your cellar. Probably would have been awesome at its peak. Suggest drinking with a hearty meal.
September 15, 2012 - Nose of black olive, dark cherries, asphalt and green pepper. Similar flavors with a sharp, dry oaky finish. Medium body with restrained fruit and moderate tannins. Overall, seemed a bit disjointed and too oaky for my tastes.
September 8, 2012 - Beautiful color, nice nose pleasantly balanced fruit, no legs. At opening, very tart and closed. Decanted and waited half hour, opened up well. Ultimately a very nice wine that went well with our steak meal.