Consistent with previous notes three years ago, only more accessible, balanced, and well-rounded. Sweet lavender and floral notes on the nose. The palate is full, square, juicy, and textured, bringing a nice mix of blackberries, deep blueberries, boysenberries, ripe strawberries, and red cherries. There are more pronounced savory notes than the last tasting which offsets the sweetness, including some dill, mushroom, and herbs. Drink 2020-2028. Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 92.
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Opened and decanted a few minutes before dinner of savory, chicken stew. Dark, brooding, crimson/purple color. Nose is light and floral, with red roses, violets, crushed blueberries, and wild herbs. The palate is medium, round, and sweet, with an interesting high note of red raspberries followed by darker notes: blueberries, blackberries, coffee mocha, milk chocolate, crème brûlée, and cherry cobbler pie. The finish is elegant and lengthy, with extremely refined tannins and firm acidity. However, I found this wine too light and too sweet. It seemed to be missing that savory/structural balance I crave in Merlots. Drink now through 2025.
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This was very impressive, but it should be at this price. Decanted about 3h - which it really needed. Lots of tannin/structure and went great with steak. If you are a fan of expensive Merlot I would recommend it but even at $40 clearance sale I will pass on another bottle, but I am slightly tempted.
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Tart black fruit and spicy on the palate. A bit hot for me, perhaps the high alcohol content is the factor here. Expected more for this price point so didn't get the wow factor from this wine.
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Very rich and tannic Merlot, this one is aging-worthy for sure. Not as fruity as I generally expect from merlot, but more subtle & smooth with mineral/graphite notes.
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Dark ripe cherries and licorice on the nose leading to front that is rich and lush but still dry and structured. The mid-palate is strong with earthy notes and cedar while the medium long finish ends gently with modestly dry tannins and a last gasp of the dark cherry. This is a very nice wine with beautiful structure and I have no doubt that future ratings will be even higher.
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only single vineyard wine produced by Keenan. 400 cases made. Has a unique spiced earth note in there along with the usual merlot qualities. 92 points from Parker. Different from their usual merlot bottling.
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The Semicentennial Birthday "Season"; 9/16/2012-9/18/2012 (San Francisco and the Napa Valley): This deep ruby wine (tasted at the winery) show a beautiful nose of savory herb, anise, dried berries and lavender. Medium-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, medium sweet tannins, slightly hot alcohol (listed as 14.8%) and focused dried berry/herb flavors. The middle palate is solid and leads to a medium-length finish with a whiff of heat. Perhaps a lower serving temperature would have notched this wine up a point or two. As such, my score may be a bit unfairly on the low side. That said, for the price, there was certainly not the "wow" factor that I would expect. Drink now-12/19.
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6/2/2019 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with previous notes three years ago, only more accessible, balanced, and well-rounded. Sweet lavender and floral notes on the nose. The palate is full, square, juicy, and textured, bringing a nice mix of blackberries, deep blueberries, boysenberries, ripe strawberries, and red cherries. There are more pronounced savory notes than the last tasting which offsets the sweetness, including some dill, mushroom, and herbs. Drink 2020-2028. Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 92.
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12/26/2018 - winejow wrote: 92 Points
much lighter and smoother than I remember. still a fine wine, well balanced, with solid structure
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9/12/2018 - jhanne8 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Poor QPR.
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6/22/2016 - jlhkiss wrote: 90 Points
Opened and decanted a few minutes before dinner of savory, chicken stew. Dark, brooding, crimson/purple color. Nose is light and floral, with red roses, violets, crushed blueberries, and wild herbs. The palate is medium, round, and sweet, with an interesting high note of red raspberries followed by darker notes: blueberries, blackberries, coffee mocha, milk chocolate, crème brûlée, and cherry cobbler pie. The finish is elegant and lengthy, with extremely refined tannins and firm acidity. However, I found this wine too light and too sweet. It seemed to be missing that savory/structural balance I crave in Merlots. Drink now through 2025.
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5/3/2016 - appleforest Likes this wine:
This was very impressive, but it should be at this price. Decanted about 3h - which it really needed. Lots of tannin/structure and went great with steak. If you are a fan of expensive Merlot I would recommend it but even at $40 clearance sale I will pass on another bottle, but I am slightly tempted.
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1/1/2016 - Twopawsup wrote: 89 Points
Tart black fruit and spicy on the palate. A bit hot for me, perhaps the high alcohol content is the factor here. Expected more for this price point so didn't get the wow factor from this wine.
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11/15/2015 - Trolson wrote: 93 Points
Huge body with equal complexity.
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11/16/2014 - t0pshelf Likes this wine:
Very rich and tannic Merlot, this one is aging-worthy for sure. Not as fruity as I generally expect from merlot, but more subtle & smooth with mineral/graphite notes.
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5/24/2014 - bbuono wrote: 90 Points
My Cellar
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2/11/2014 - TK Mastres wrote: 92 Points
Dark ripe cherries and licorice on the nose leading to front that is rich and lush but still dry and structured. The mid-palate is strong with earthy notes and cedar while the medium long finish ends gently with modestly dry tannins and a last gasp of the dark cherry. This is a very nice wine with beautiful structure and I have no doubt that future ratings will be even higher.
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3/6/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
only single vineyard wine produced by Keenan. 400 cases made. Has a unique spiced earth note in there along with the usual merlot qualities. 92 points from Parker. Different from their usual merlot bottling.
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9/18/2012 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 88 Points
The Semicentennial Birthday "Season"; 9/16/2012-9/18/2012 (San Francisco and the Napa Valley): This deep ruby wine (tasted at the winery) show a beautiful nose of savory herb, anise, dried berries and lavender. Medium-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, medium sweet tannins, slightly hot alcohol (listed as 14.8%) and focused dried berry/herb flavors. The middle palate is solid and leads to a medium-length finish with a whiff of heat. Perhaps a lower serving temperature would have notched this wine up a point or two. As such, my score may be a bit unfairly on the low side. That said, for the price, there was certainly not the "wow" factor that I would expect. Drink now-12/19.
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