2009 O'Brien Estate Merlot

Community Tasting Notes (9) Avg Score: 90.9 points

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  8/5/2023 - Brad T Likes this wine: 93 Points

  This is in a beautiful place, quite mature and nearing the end of its prime drinking window. The juicy O'brien red and black Merlot fruit remains, but has receded in proportion to the gentle tannins. The finish is moderate but gentle on the palate. Selected for friends who enjoy red wine but don't often have older reds, and they loved it. I will drink my last bottle by 2024.

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  8/8/2016 - Tannic Monster Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Nice dark fruit and earth on the nose. Acids hit the palate first followed by vanilla oak, cherries, and a hint of sandalwood.
  Still a bit tannic for its age offering a medium finish with some dried herbs.

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  5/3/2016 - hende14 Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Glad I waited to review this until the second day. First day was quite disjointed and heavy on the new oak. Second day came together with big red fruit and mocha with a smooth balance of acid and tannins. This is a really good example of what Merlot done right can be.

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  7/11/2015 - KC Lawyer Likes this wine: 93 Points

  This is a merlot for those who disdain merlot as being too sweet or insubstantial and want to be convinced otherwise. Can the fruit be both subtle and intense? If so, this is it. Lots going on, certainly big enough to stand up to a pork roast (probably not the best choice for lamb). Guaranteed that you'll like this if you try it.
  This is the first of 3 bottles we purchased at the winery in 2011; it can surely last another few years as the color is pristine and there's not even a hint of oxidation.

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  2/28/2015 - cstir Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Pleasant but not memorable; average in depth and flavor.

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View all 9 Community Tasting Notes

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