Not the Washington State Cabernet that I was expecting. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with some Syrah (17%) and Merlot (3%) blended in. Aromas of black pepper, baking spices and tobacco with a slight floral note. Red/black cherry fruit dominates the palate with additional notes of vanilla, fresh herbs, and roasted nuts. Fine tannins and nice balance. Quite tertiary. Excellent QPR.
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I will repeat a comment from my last notes as if unchanged from there posting date in 2019. "Good but in retrying this I must say ...."It is just ok". That said it is not improved nor diminished from then. It is just OK.
For the price it is a very good "GO TO WINE"
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half a bottle was donated to me ..it was opened yesterday...not really getting the chunky fruit i associate with horse heaven....interesting flavors...very fruity...not really cabby but darker fruits...boysenberry sees 14 months...good weight...id be under 90pts if i was a ratings guy however...sweet cherry compote on nose is quite nice follows through somewhat on palate...
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Nice jammy flavor, without the jammy texture. Surprisingly dry for the flavor profile - nice tannic structure. Definitely a winner & crowd pleaser at this price point.
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Medium-bodied, easygoing and mellow from first sip to lasting finish. Plenty of vanilla, oak, bright cherry, herbs and a subtle mineral tone on the finish. Excellent value.
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Good but in retrying this I must say ...."It is just ok". I followed this with a Whitehall Lane Mancino 2017 and the Mancino blew the Mercer away by a lot. The Mercer just felt inferior here.... I get the price difference of $30 bottle but wow the Whitehall Lane is so much better.
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Ch St Michelle horse heaven is one of my go to inexpensive cabs and maybe this is better- though as I taste more not sure - note the licorice flavors. My first sips were whoa -I like this but - -
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Going to up my score. This follows a 2010 Pott Arsenal Cabernet. This is softer with a restrained aciditic presence. Fruit forward for sure and PNP was fine. Not sure if this wine gets better than now.
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Not as good as last years vintage. The wine has a wildly acidic side and and out of control balance that took an open bottle 24 hours to get even close to balance. Modestly OK production but needs years to stabilize. I suppose respectable QPR but not by much.
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$18 Washington Cabernet 2017 Mercer Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills. Mid-dark/dark garnet; cassis, cocoa, Cabernet, licorice and light oak nose; mid-body; balanced; good Cabernet fruit on the palate; softening tannins; some style; long semi-lush finish. Food wine. w/tri tip. 16 UC Davis scale, 90 other scales.
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2/25/2024 - vandal16 wrote: 90 Points
Not the Washington State Cabernet that I was expecting. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with some Syrah (17%) and Merlot (3%) blended in. Aromas of black pepper, baking spices and tobacco with a slight floral note. Red/black cherry fruit dominates the palate with additional notes of vanilla, fresh herbs, and roasted nuts. Fine tannins and nice balance. Quite tertiary. Excellent QPR.
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1/26/2024 - joet626 Likes this wine: 89 Points
good. Easy-drinking
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3/1/2023 - joet626 Likes this wine: 89 Points
very tasty. Nice dark fruits. Well-balanced and easy-drinking
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12/1/2022 - Grateful4Red Likes this wine: 89 Points
Jammy
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12/22/2021 - tomoem wrote: 88 Points
I will repeat a comment from my last notes as if unchanged from there posting date in 2019. "Good but in retrying this I must say ...."It is just ok". That said it is not improved nor diminished from then. It is just OK.
For the price it is a very good "GO TO WINE"
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10/16/2021 - ABOVETHEINFLUENCE wrote:
half a bottle was donated to me ..it was opened yesterday...not really getting the chunky fruit i associate with horse heaven....interesting flavors...very fruity...not really cabby but darker fruits...boysenberry sees 14 months...good weight...id be under 90pts if i was a ratings guy however...sweet cherry compote on nose is quite nice follows through somewhat on palate...
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4/3/2021 - phandel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice jammy flavor, without the jammy texture. Surprisingly dry for the flavor profile - nice tannic structure. Definitely a winner & crowd pleaser at this price point.
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3/15/2021 - RakeshS wrote: 92 Points
very good value for money. How a good Cab Cab should be...Wine spectator got this right....
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3/9/2021 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium-bodied, easygoing and mellow from first sip to lasting finish. Plenty of vanilla, oak, bright cherry, herbs and a subtle mineral tone on the finish. Excellent value.
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1/22/2021 - Fatchef8 Likes this wine:
Our first red we drank and at this point our favorite
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12/9/2020 - tomoem wrote: 89 Points
Good but in retrying this I must say ...."It is just ok". I followed this with a Whitehall Lane Mancino 2017 and the Mancino blew the Mercer away by a lot. The Mercer just felt inferior here.... I get the price difference of $30 bottle but wow the Whitehall Lane is so much better.
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7/18/2020 - Yonny Likes this wine: 88 Points
Ch St Michelle horse heaven is one of my go to inexpensive cabs and maybe this is better- though as I taste more not sure - note the licorice flavors. My first sips were whoa -I like this but - -
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5/30/2020 - tomoem wrote: 90 Points
Going to up my score. This follows a 2010 Pott Arsenal Cabernet. This is softer with a restrained aciditic presence. Fruit forward for sure and PNP was fine. Not sure if this wine gets better than now.
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5/14/2020 - Mod Fam Wine Likes this wine: 87 Points
This easy-to-drink Cab has a nice, soft floral bouquet and hints of chocolate and black cherry, with a smooth finish.
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5/12/2020 - tomoem wrote: 88 Points
Not as good as last years vintage. The wine has a wildly acidic side and and out of control balance that took an open bottle 24 hours to get even close to balance. Modestly OK production but needs years to stabilize. I suppose respectable QPR but not by much.
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4/7/2020 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 90 Points
$18 Washington Cabernet 2017 Mercer Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills. Mid-dark/dark garnet; cassis, cocoa, Cabernet, licorice and light oak nose; mid-body; balanced; good Cabernet fruit on the palate; softening tannins; some style; long semi-lush finish. Food wine. w/tri tip. 16 UC Davis scale, 90 other scales.
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3/13/2020 - paradise801 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really good wine
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11/15/2019 - bluehorseshoe Likes this wine: 87 Points
Solid every day wine. Good value at $13. Would be good with pizza or a burger. Not as good as the 2016 vintage.
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