Brought to a restaurant that was out of decanters. Poured some into two glasses and waited an hour. Sniff still had that wet dog oder so waited another 30 minutes. It suddenly opened up - outstanding, smooth, mellow taste, still with fruit highlights and a great finish.
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What a pleasant surprise.....I am not normally a Merlot fan, but this Merlot was exceptional. The bottle is at its absolute peak....Beautiful nose of Black and Blue fruit with forest floor overtones. Creamy red cherry mid palate, totaly integrated with smooth tannins and a balanced long finish . This is a bottle that I wished lated longer. Wife and I have it on a crisp Pennsylvania October aftenoon....Perfect.
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Dark fruit (blueberry slight plum), smooth, slight spice, slight anise. Low acidity. Slight hint of heat on finish. Enjoyable but tastes like us on downward slope.
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popped for Christmas party. I was surprised at how much fruit was left. especially a merlot this old from Cali. very happy with it but dont wait if you have any in your cellar. drink up! The wine looks Garnet colored.
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Opened this one up with about 2 hours to spare and didn't touch it. My first sip was a huge pleasant surprise. If I didn't know what it was before tasting I would have guessed an old Bordeaux. Love the Shafer brand as the family is so engaging.
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Dark color, medium body. Refreshing berry and cherry scents and flavors with underlying eucalyptus. Well balanced, fruity wine with sweet tannins. More lush than most of the Cabs from this vintage. Drinking very nicely now.
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Complex, coffee, cassis, dark chocolate, pencil lead, florals and forest floor. Full-bodied with great balance and flavour replays; moderate tannins; long finish. 5/5
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11/4/2016 - markakin wrote: 93 Points
still a great wine, fruit still vibrant, no acid, very smooth, well balanced, great finish
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10/22/2016 - markakin wrote: 95 Points
Brought to a restaurant that was out of decanters. Poured some into two glasses and waited an hour. Sniff still had that wet dog oder so waited another 30 minutes. It suddenly opened up - outstanding, smooth, mellow taste, still with fruit highlights and a great finish.
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10/24/2014 - Bacchusboy Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a pleasant surprise.....I am not normally a Merlot fan, but this Merlot was exceptional. The bottle is at its absolute peak....Beautiful nose of Black and Blue fruit with forest floor overtones. Creamy red cherry mid palate, totaly integrated with smooth tannins and a balanced long finish . This is a bottle that I wished lated longer. Wife and I have it on a crisp Pennsylvania October aftenoon....Perfect.
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6/16/2013 - JJKinch wrote: 88 Points
Dark fruit (blueberry slight plum), smooth, slight spice, slight anise. Low acidity. Slight hint of heat on finish. Enjoyable but tastes like us on downward slope.
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11/2/2012 - Nlock wrote: 89 Points
A bit past. Muted nose, some bricking. Hard to pick fruit from the slight overtone of vinegar, but trace of leather and tobacco.
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5/7/2011 - Bootjack wrote:
Still surprisingly good! Dark to brown color, Smooth drinking with Lots of berry, cherry and still has structure. Drink up!
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12/22/2010 - Earl T wrote: 90 Points
popped for Christmas party. I was surprised at how much fruit was left. especially a merlot this old from Cali. very happy with it but dont wait if you have any in your cellar. drink up!
The wine looks Garnet colored.
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5/26/2009 - pikemasterflash wrote: 90 Points
Opened this one up with about 2 hours to spare and didn't touch it. My first sip was a huge pleasant surprise. If I didn't know what it was before tasting I would have guessed an old Bordeaux. Love the Shafer brand as the family is so engaging.
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12/22/2007 - cab blends wrote: 87 Points
Disappointing when opened straight from the bottle. I am letting it breath for a while. Metallic initial bite.
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7/12/2006 - smina wrote: 91 Points
Very good.
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1/6/2006 - odu83 wrote: 88 Points
Good fruit. Somewhat broken between the mid and finish.
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11/4/2005 - eastover wrote:
Pizza night - a little past its prime
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10/3/2003 - babnik wrote: 89 Points
Dark color, medium body. Refreshing berry and cherry scents and flavors with underlying eucalyptus. Well balanced, fruity wine with sweet tannins. More lush than most of the Cabs from this vintage. Drinking very nicely now.
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9/4/2001 - Double-A Likes this wine: 95 Points
Complex, coffee, cassis, dark chocolate, pencil lead, florals and forest floor. Full-bodied with great balance and flavour replays; moderate tannins; long finish.
5/5
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