Perfect cellar life magnum, decanted, filtered, rested 15 min & served. No sediment. Relatively fresh pop of pomegranate & brambly blackberry mid-palatte, very soft tanins, balanced acidity. Medium finish.
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Last bottle seemed over the hill so revisited a difference bottle the next evening and much better, so I think that was an anomaly. Having said that I don't think this wine will further improve with age so I plan to drink up my remaining bottles soon!
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Not going to rate this bottle, afraid i may have waited to long to drink it as i'm getting some heavy prune notes on the nose and finish. Drank out of a 375ml but afraid this wine may be over the hill. Will revisit one of the three 750s i have soon.
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Thought that this was going to be the 2nd mediocre bottle of SWR Merlot that I had in 2 days (the 2004 was the first) but it did come through in the end. It just needed more time. Cork broke upon extraction and we had to push it in and pour through a filter. Lots of sediment in the bottle and at first it was harsh and disjointed but an hour later it started to shine. The palate was dark berries, plum and chocolate and the finish was of moderate length. This wine should be decanted for an hour or so or slow ox'd for a few hours to shake off the funkiness. It is still a good wine and with proper aeration has a few more years ahead of it.
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According to CT reviewers this wine is at the end of its useful life. I doubt that is the case for those who like this style. It remains fresh and still evolving.
However to my palate it is far too heavily extracted. The over-ripe characteristics consume the balance and structure of what may have been a fine Merlot. It is nothing like Merlot in any way. It's more like a ripe Zin or Shiraz. Regardless, overall it is disappointing. I suspect with an earlier harvest and more traditional vinification it could have been so much more.
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Pop and pour from a 375, followed over 2 hours. Soft right out of the bottle, this gained a little weight with air but I'd still classify as a "drink-up" wine. Not much on the nose, the wine shows red fruit and otherwise comes across as watery with fading structure. Great with the roast chicken I cooked, but clearly lacks the depth to stand up to beef at this point.
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Awesome Merlot, which is not something one can say very often. Rich, deep flavors of chocolate, licorice, leather, and meat. I'm not sure if this will continue to improve with more age, it's drinking impeccably right now. A brief decant and it's ready to enjoy!
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Consistent with the recent notes...berries on the pop with chocolate notes appearing after 15-20 minutes. Surprised to pay $65/b at a New Orleans restaurant.
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Drank a 375ml with vegetarian lasagne. The wine is drinking beautifully. Dark purple in the glass. Tannins are resolved and the wine is smooth as silk. Another great Bob Foley wine. not showing age but, no reason to wait.
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I did a pop and pour but even so this wine out of a 375 is drinking great. I'm a huge fan of Kelly's merlots and this is no exception. It's drinking so well now why wait. I loved it and am happy that I have 7 more bottles left.
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Rich Black fruit. white pepper, blueberry and oak on the nose. Mouthfeel is smooth but still shows that much of the fruit has a rough edge and can still spend several years maturing. Blueberry, more black fruit, charcoal, wood. This bottle followed a 2010 SR Merlot and while the 2010 was very good, all pronounced this to be a far superior bottle.
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Had a 375ml with BBQ burgers, asparagus and then artichoke. Big Foley fan and this did not disappoint. Tannins are soft. Leather, charcoal, beautiful fruit. Should still have a long way to go. Looking forward to having more and in bigger format.
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Decanted from a .375 and allowed to rest for an hour, then followed for 2 hours. Black fruit. white pepper, and oak on the nose. Mouthfeel is smooth with a silky element, but still shows its youth. Blueberry, tight wood, alcohol. More bottle time would have done this well, still has several years before peaking, but its still very approachable. Look forward to trying this is a traditional format next time.
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Pop and pour - note after 2 hours. Vanilla, cocoa, blue fruit and tootsie roll on the nose. Hints of vanilla and chocolate on the palate. Sweet tannins and well balanced. Really great wine.
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Pop and pour from a 375. Oak, vanilla, alcohol and spice on the nose. Lush mouthfeel of dark, heavy and young black fruit. More vanilla, scented tobacco and super-sweet blackberry or black cherry. Certainly one of the most powerful merlots I've had, many calicabs in a similar pricepoint lack the flavor, depth and concentration of this young wine.
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Big cherry, blackberry and bright raspberry fruit balanced with savory herbal notes. The ripe fruit continues on the palate and is complimented with light spicy notes.
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Heavy whiff of alcohol on the pop and pour, but after about 3 hours, this has settled down. Plum and blackberry, black berry, cocoa and vanilla. A little heat coats the back of your throat. Very good, but I have had previous Switchback and Foley Merlots that I have liked better. This one seemed to have just a little too much of the high ABV and heat shining through over the fruit.
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From a .375. A little alcohol on the nose on open. PnP: Initially a little harsh but after 1.5 hours chocolate and cherries on the nose and palate, quite smooth overall.
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Love this wine...big fruit and a wonderfully complex finish. Incredlbly smooth tannins but with a lot going on in the glass. Bob Foley can sure make a mean merlot.
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Pop and pour. Nose of bittersweet chocolate, sweet kirsch and red berries. A fruit forward wine, again picking up the chocolate on the palate, sweet ripe fruit with a bit of heat on the finish. Would probably benefit from time in the cellar, but it is a fun drink now.
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Pop and pour from a 375, drank from poor hotel stems. Aromas and flavors aren't popping as they do at home, but this was extremely approachable, drinkable and enjoyable. Sweet tannins, lighter black and blue fruit.
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15.5% ABV. Mostly opaque dark garnet in the glass. No off flavors on the nose of this bottle with chocolaty sweet fruit. Medium full bodied with sweet red berry currant fruit and notes of light mocha and cocoa. Maybe a touch of residual sugar?
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Bordeaux Varietals (Farpointe Cellar): Sweet berries and cherry liqueur on the nose, with a little roasted herbs at the end. The palate is much like the nose, but with the addition of some coffee flavors.
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15.5% ABV. Mostly opaque dark garnet in the glass. Initially this Merlot was showing a pronounced oaky quality on the nose along with an off-putting elmer's glue nuance, which eventually faded. Medium full bodied with sweet black fruit and vanilla oak that at times becomes almost sacharin sweet. Really not as bad as I make it sound, but it is a bit much.
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Pop and pour - note after one hour. Nose of sweet cherries and strawberry twizzlers. Sexy and voluptuous palate with hints of cherries and sweet tannins. Long finish.
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Another 375 bites the dust. Decanted and allowed to rest for 30 mins before drinking over the course of 2 hours. Nose of black cherry, vanilla and scented pipe tobacco. Rich fruit flavors that aren't as dominant or overpowering as one might expect in such a young wine. Tannins evident in the structure but not really in mouthfeel. As noted 6 months ago, this is among / the most approachable Foley-made wine I've had given its age. Far easier to drink than one would expect from a wine so young, and an enjoyable fruit-based offering for a wine of any age.
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I've been buying, cellaring and enjoying Switchback Ridge wines every years since the 2000 vintage and have never been disappointed. This Merlot is another great one. Big fruit, great body and mouth feel - just fabulous - some tannin on the finish which will soften in a year or two. When people I know tell me "I don't like Merlot," I have often said, "you have never tried a good one" and a Foley merlot is often one I pour to show them the light... the 2008 will be a wine that will help enlighten friends.
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From a 375 into a decanter, and consumed over 3 hours. Nice blue and black cherry fruits; mellow tanins make this very approachable, and not as heavy or hot as some of the Foley-branded merlots.
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Decanted half a bottle, reserving the balance for tomorrow. Classic black cherry coloring, a tinge of alcohol on the nose. Solid dark fruit, more black cherry along with blueberry, oak is still prominent but not overpowering, and some vanilla as well. Might be the most approachable SR or Foley merlot I've had upon release. We'll see what tomorrow brings! Day 2 - Wine was a little softer with a quicker finish, but still retained its stuffing.
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Very good merlot. Big fruit flavors with mellow tannins which are a signature of Robert Foley's. Will be interesting to see what this does with a little time.
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12/26/2022 - redz wrote: 90 Points
Similar to my previous note. This was from a magnum, but still fading fast. Not much different from 750...
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11/6/2022 - redz wrote: 90 Points
Okay, but fading fast
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12/25/2019 - IAmVintage wrote: 91 Points
Perfect cellar life magnum, decanted, filtered, rested 15 min & served. No sediment. Relatively fresh pop of pomegranate & brambly blackberry mid-palatte, very soft tanins, balanced acidity. Medium finish.
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12/7/2019 - budman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Holding up extremely well.
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2/15/2019 - budman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Killer!!!
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8/15/2018 - budman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Holding up really weell.
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2/4/2018 - jfkwines wrote: 90 Points
Best of a few we have had lately. Let breathe for a couple hours. Nice integration
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12/16/2017 - Mscruggs Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last bottle seemed over the hill so revisited a difference bottle the next evening and much better, so I think that was an anomaly. Having said that I don't think this wine will further improve with age so I plan to drink up my remaining bottles soon!
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12/15/2017 - Mscruggs wrote:
Not going to rate this bottle, afraid i may have waited to long to drink it as i'm getting some heavy prune notes on the nose and finish. Drank out of a 375ml but afraid this wine may be over the hill. Will revisit one of the three 750s i have soon.
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6/23/2017 - Vitispulmonus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fruit forward new world style Merlot. Concentrated blackberry flavors. Drink within the next year or so.
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6/15/2017 - markcic wrote: 88 Points
Thought that this was going to be the 2nd mediocre bottle of SWR Merlot that I had in 2 days (the 2004 was the first) but it did come through in the end. It just needed more time. Cork broke upon extraction and we had to push it in and pour through a filter. Lots of sediment in the bottle and at first it was harsh and disjointed but an hour later it started to shine. The palate was dark berries, plum and chocolate and the finish was of moderate length. This wine should be decanted for an hour or so or slow ox'd for a few hours to shake off the funkiness.
It is still a good wine and with proper aeration has a few more years ahead of it.
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1/30/2017 - gingerbreadman wrote: 82 Points
According to CT reviewers this wine is at the end of its useful life. I doubt that is the case for those who like this style. It remains fresh and still evolving.
However to my palate it is far too heavily extracted. The over-ripe characteristics consume the balance and structure of what may have been a fine Merlot. It is nothing like Merlot in any way. It's more like a ripe Zin or Shiraz. Regardless, overall it is disappointing. I suspect with an earlier harvest and more traditional vinification it could have been so much more.
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6/26/2016 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pop and pour from a 375, followed over 2 hours. Soft right out of the bottle, this gained a little weight with air but I'd still classify as a "drink-up" wine. Not much on the nose, the wine shows red fruit and otherwise comes across as watery with fading structure. Great with the roast chicken I cooked, but clearly lacks the depth to stand up to beef at this point.
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3/26/2016 - msh305 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Awesome Merlot, which is not something one can say very often. Rich, deep flavors of chocolate, licorice, leather, and meat. I'm not sure if this will continue to improve with more age, it's drinking impeccably right now. A brief decant and it's ready to enjoy!
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1/24/2016 - oenophilemoose wrote: flawed
Purchased at online auction. Caveat emptor.
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12/13/2015 - oenophilemoose wrote: flawed
Obviously an off bottle as it contained an alcohol/sherry note that I couldn't get past. Purchased at online auction. Caveat emptor.
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10/24/2015 - AEROSMITH wrote: 92 Points
awesome wine should be drink pretty soon but still excellent.
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7/5/2015 - 1961Vintage wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with the recent notes...berries on the pop with chocolate notes appearing after 15-20 minutes. Surprised to pay $65/b at a New Orleans restaurant.
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3/30/2015 - hanasowner wrote: 93 Points
Fantastic after a pop, pour and swirl...wonderful silky mouthfeel with dark cherries and some chocolate notes...great finish.
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3/29/2015 - sja61 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank a 375ml with vegetarian lasagne. The wine is drinking beautifully. Dark purple in the glass. Tannins are resolved and the wine is smooth as silk. Another great Bob Foley wine. not showing age but, no reason to wait.
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2/6/2015 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
I did a pop and pour but even so this wine out of a 375 is drinking great. I'm a huge fan of Kelly's merlots and this is no exception. It's drinking so well now why wait. I loved it and am happy that I have 7 more bottles left.
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1/13/2015 - sastewart wrote: 90 Points
Very pretty wine. Fully mature with red and black fruits, modest oak, very soft tannins and just a touch of sweetness. 90 points
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8/29/2014 - budman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Super!!!! This is what I want when I drink merlot!!!
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7/29/2014 - hanasowner wrote: 88 Points
Agree with previous poster. The nose on this was nice at first, but fell flat...and the finish, while smooth, was very short.
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5/13/2014 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very nice but not as impressive as previous bottles. Drink remaining bottles over the next year.
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11/30/2013 - davidandrose Likes this wine:
Rich Black fruit. white pepper, blueberry and oak on the nose. Mouthfeel is smooth but still shows that much of the fruit has a rough edge and can still spend several years maturing. Blueberry, more black fruit, charcoal, wood. This bottle followed a 2010 SR Merlot and while the 2010 was very good, all pronounced this to be a far superior bottle.
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7/7/2013 - awise45 wrote: 93 Points
So sorry that this is the last bottle. Full, fruity, dark, with a long finish accented by a ribbon of vanilla. Wonderful.
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5/5/2013 - sja61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had a 375ml with BBQ burgers, asparagus and then artichoke. Big Foley fan and this did not disappoint. Tannins are soft. Leather, charcoal, beautiful fruit. Should still have a long way to go. Looking forward to having more and in bigger format.
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3/9/2013 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted from a .375 and allowed to rest for an hour, then followed for 2 hours. Black fruit. white pepper, and oak on the nose. Mouthfeel is smooth with a silky element, but still shows its youth. Blueberry, tight wood, alcohol. More bottle time would have done this well, still has several years before peaking, but its still very approachable. Look forward to trying this is a traditional format next time.
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11/23/2012 - jmprtt06 wrote:
Gave to John D and Bryan as going away present 2012
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11/1/2012 - cookie7 wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour - note after 2 hours. Vanilla, cocoa, blue fruit and tootsie roll on the nose. Hints of vanilla and chocolate on the palate. Sweet tannins and well balanced. Really great wine.
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7/11/2012 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour from a 375. Oak, vanilla, alcohol and spice on the nose. Lush mouthfeel of dark, heavy and young black fruit. More vanilla, scented tobacco and super-sweet blackberry or black cherry. Certainly one of the most powerful merlots I've had, many calicabs in a similar pricepoint lack the flavor, depth and concentration of this young wine.
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6/3/2012 - awise45 wrote: 93 Points
Lots of berry fruits, light spice, and a ribbon of vanilla that pulls it all together. Very nice.
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4/7/2012 - dfaircloth wrote: 93 Points
Big cherry, blackberry and bright raspberry fruit balanced with savory herbal notes. The ripe fruit continues on the palate and is complimented with light spicy notes.
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3/5/2012 - brianngibson wrote: 88 Points
Heavy whiff of alcohol on the pop and pour, but after about 3 hours, this has settled down. Plum and blackberry, black berry, cocoa and vanilla. A little heat coats the back of your throat. Very good, but I have had previous Switchback and Foley Merlots that I have liked better. This one seemed to have just a little too much of the high ABV and heat shining through over the fruit.
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2/14/2012 - eschuldt wrote: 91 Points
From a .375. A little alcohol on the nose on open. PnP: Initially a little harsh but after 1.5 hours chocolate and cherries on the nose and palate, quite smooth overall.
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1/17/2012 - Tri Wine wrote: 92 Points
Love this wine...big fruit and a wonderfully complex finish. Incredlbly smooth tannins but with a lot going on in the glass. Bob Foley can sure make a mean merlot.
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11/30/2011 - cookie7 wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. Nose of bittersweet chocolate, sweet kirsch and red berries. A fruit forward wine, again picking up the chocolate on the palate, sweet ripe fruit with a bit of heat on the finish. Would probably benefit from time in the cellar, but it is a fun drink now.
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11/19/2011 - hanasowner wrote: 92 Points
Opened a 375ml. Fantastic mouthfeel and wonderful nose.
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10/15/2011 - SteveHoch wrote: 90 Points
very young but will be beautiful
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9/17/2011 - awise45 wrote: 92 Points
Raspberry, cherry, and vanilla and a fresh, explosive first with a nice long finish. Much better than the 2007 and really, really nice.
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9/9/2011 - budman wrote: 93 Points
Yum. Mocha, dark fruit, with a touch of vanilla. Smooth tannins. Long finish.
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8/16/2011 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour from a 375, drank from poor hotel stems. Aromas and flavors aren't popping as they do at home, but this was extremely approachable, drinkable and enjoyable. Sweet tannins, lighter black and blue fruit.
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8/6/2011 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 91 Points
15.5% ABV. Mostly opaque dark garnet in the glass. No off flavors on the nose of this bottle with chocolaty sweet fruit. Medium full bodied with sweet red berry currant fruit and notes of light mocha and cocoa. Maybe a touch of residual sugar?
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7/30/2011 - mmurry Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bordeaux Varietals (Farpointe Cellar): Sweet berries and cherry liqueur on the nose, with a little roasted herbs at the end. The palate is much like the nose, but with the addition of some coffee flavors.
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7/17/2011 - OneLastSyrah wrote: 90 Points
15.5% ABV. Mostly opaque dark garnet in the glass. Initially this Merlot was showing a pronounced oaky quality on the nose along with an off-putting elmer's glue nuance, which eventually faded. Medium full bodied with sweet black fruit and vanilla oak that at times becomes almost sacharin sweet. Really not as bad as I make it sound, but it is a bit much.
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7/4/2011 - cookie7 wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour - note after one hour. Nose of sweet cherries and strawberry twizzlers. Sexy and voluptuous palate with hints of cherries and sweet tannins. Long finish.
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6/9/2011 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Another 375 bites the dust. Decanted and allowed to rest for 30 mins before drinking over the course of 2 hours. Nose of black cherry, vanilla and scented pipe tobacco. Rich fruit flavors that aren't as dominant or overpowering as one might expect in such a young wine. Tannins evident in the structure but not really in mouthfeel. As noted 6 months ago, this is among / the most approachable Foley-made wine I've had given its age. Far easier to drink than one would expect from a wine so young, and an enjoyable fruit-based offering for a wine of any age.
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12/25/2010 - Scruff wrote: flawed
Corked
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12/9/2010 - TRS-Wine wrote: 93 Points
I've been buying, cellaring and enjoying Switchback Ridge wines every years since the 2000 vintage and have never been disappointed. This Merlot is another great one. Big fruit, great body and mouth feel - just fabulous - some tannin on the finish which will soften in a year or two. When people I know tell me "I don't like Merlot," I have often said, "you have never tried a good one" and a Foley merlot is often one I pour to show them the light... the 2008 will be a wine that will help enlighten friends.
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12/2/2010 - davidandrose wrote:
From a 375 into a decanter, and consumed over 3 hours. Nice blue and black cherry fruits; mellow tanins make this very approachable, and not as heavy or hot as some of the Foley-branded merlots.
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11/6/2010 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
Decanted half a bottle, reserving the balance for tomorrow. Classic black cherry coloring, a tinge of alcohol on the nose. Solid dark fruit, more black cherry along with blueberry, oak is still prominent but not overpowering, and some vanilla as well. Might be the most approachable SR or Foley merlot I've had upon release. We'll see what tomorrow brings! Day 2 - Wine was a little softer with a quicker finish, but still retained its stuffing.
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11/6/2010 - Tri Wine wrote: 91 Points
Very good merlot. Big fruit flavors with mellow tannins which are a signature of Robert Foley's. Will be interesting to see what this does with a little time.
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