Used the Durand to open, cork was in fine condition. Drank in a zalto denk'art glass. Nose is a bit alcoholic with hints of raisins, tobacco, and oak. Palate is better resolved now versus 6 years ago, but is still dominated by oak with the dark cherry fruit in the background. After a few hours, it was mostly smoky cedar oak, spice, a stewed cherry fruit. Alcohol was still a bit prominent, although not as bad as 6 years ago.
I bumped my score up a bit, however, this is certainly one of the worst versions of this bottling I’ve tasted, now twice. It is usually much better and ages gracefully, my two bottles did not. If you like big oak wines, you will like this, I would drink soon before the fruit fades further.
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Traditionally one of my favorite domestic merlots. Its extremely dependable. This vintage needs some more time still, I also thought it was a touch disjointed with alcohol being a bit too high. Still a very nice merlot and I will hold my remaining bottle for at least 5 more years.
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9/23/2023 - SchlaepDog Likes this wine: 89 Points
Used the Durand to open, cork was in fine condition. Drank in a zalto denk'art glass. Nose is a bit alcoholic with hints of raisins, tobacco, and oak.
Palate is better resolved now versus 6 years ago, but is still dominated by oak with the dark cherry fruit in the background. After a few hours, it was mostly smoky cedar oak, spice, a stewed cherry fruit. Alcohol was still a bit prominent, although not as bad as 6 years ago.
I bumped my score up a bit, however, this is certainly one of the worst versions of this bottling I’ve tasted, now twice. It is usually much better and ages gracefully, my two bottles did not. If you like big oak wines, you will like this, I would drink soon before the fruit fades further.
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4/14/2020 - Margaux Bro Likes this wine: 93 Points
Traditionally one of my favorite domestic merlots. Its extremely dependable. This vintage needs some more time still, I also thought it was a touch disjointed with alcohol being a bit too high. Still a very nice merlot and I will hold my remaining bottle for at least 5 more years.
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12/28/2018 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 93 Points
Black fruit, blue fruit, tobacco, cedar, leather, earth notes, complex A-
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9/9/2018 - travelme wrote: 92 Points
Exceptional bottle. Beautiful nose. Last bottle of this vintage.
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12/31/2017 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 3 hours.
Black cherries, black berries, cassis, herbal notes, eucalyptus, cedar, tobacco,smokey oak. A-
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