After our sushi guests left, I reopened this bottle while watching TV. I had previously opened it in the afternoon when some friends stopped by. The nose is fruit with hints of chocolate. The palate is dark berries, cherry, fig and some chocolate. The finish was moderate in length.
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Upon initial decant, the 2016 Stags' Leap Merlot Block 20 offered red cherry, blackcurrant, plum, and plenty of spice. Halfway through the first glass, it tightened, and my palate was overwhelmed by an astringency that told me tannins were present, even if they didn't really provide all that much structure. Each sip from then on finished with alcoholic burn and a bitter lemon peel aftertaste. Clearly this needs more time to come together, but I'm not really convinced that it has the substance to justify the wait (or the price tag). Drink from 2023-2028.
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11/25/2023 - markcic Likes this wine: 90 Points
After our sushi guests left, I reopened this bottle while watching TV. I had previously opened it in the afternoon when some friends stopped by. The nose is fruit with hints of chocolate. The palate is dark berries, cherry, fig and some chocolate. The finish was moderate in length.
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7/8/2023 - jayhawkdds Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good Merlot. Tannins are definitely present. Wine is a little disjointed at the moment. I’d wait another several years before I’d open another bottle.
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5/14/2022 - Starnes Likes this wine: 93 Points
A mild smooth merlot. Great with dinner or after dinner
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7/14/2021 - rkww Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Upon initial decant, the 2016 Stags' Leap Merlot Block 20 offered red cherry, blackcurrant, plum, and plenty of spice. Halfway through the first glass, it tightened, and my palate was overwhelmed by an astringency that told me tannins were present, even if they didn't really provide all that much structure. Each sip from then on finished with alcoholic burn and a bitter lemon peel aftertaste. Clearly this needs more time to come together, but I'm not really convinced that it has the substance to justify the wait (or the price tag). Drink from 2023-2028.
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