2002 Artesa Merlot Carneros

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 90.5 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View jwhisler's profile
  • Report Issue

  11/11/2011 - jwhisler wrote: 93 Points

  Absolutely delicious. Fragrant aroma upon opening and extremely full-bodied for a California Merlot. Great finish that got better over time. I wish I had lots more of this awesome wine.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View thesternowl's profile
  • Report Issue

  11/7/2011 - thesternowl Likes this wine: 94 Points

  I chose this bottle from a friend's cellar. It was my selection to accompany the evening's conversation; figured it would be right in its prime. Couldn't have been more right. Popped and poured through a Vinturi into the glass. Ordinarily, I would defer the use of this tool until an initial taste but it happens to be a customary ritual for this friend so I went with it. Initially, there was a touch of funk that seemed to cloak the bouquet but this blew off completely within ten minutes...that's when things kicked it into high gear. I could have never guessed that this was a 9 year old Napa Merlot. Epic, dark fruit on the nose. Blackberries...ohhhh the wonderful blackberries...ripened to absolute perfection. Cocoa and the faintest hint of high grade vanilla bourbon from Madagascar. Deep, dark garnet...I think I zoned out at one point while I was gazing into its seemingly infinite center. Like a woman who takes care of herself, this wine had a body that was firm, tone, lithe, soft…sexy. Loads of French chocolate, refined blackberry liqueur on the palate. There was a stem-like quality on the back end that kept this wine honest…reminding me of its vinous origins. Props to Dobson, who did a really nice job with this wine; never fading over the 3 hours in my glass. I can’t imagine this going south anytime soon but really, why wait? It’s firing on all cylinders so if you have some and it's just kickin’ it in your cellar, I’d hit it. Let it breathe in the glass and please, take your time with her. Like a crack fiend, I’m looking for more.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View jwhisler's profile
  • Report Issue

  2/13/2011 - jwhisler wrote: 91 Points

  As with all my wines, I ran this once through my Venturi which just magnified the nose and the taste. The nse was phenomenal, with hints of blueberry, vanilla and plum. When it hit my tongue, it grew in its character, immediately imparting bold fruit fllavers overlaying each other in a complex blend. I read other ratings that just do not do this wine justice. I would gladly pay double what I paid for a wine of this quality.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View jrlamia's profile
  • Report Issue

  8/29/2009 - jrlamia wrote: 88 Points

  May be post-peak but still a very nice bottle. Aromas and flavors subdued with soft tannins, maybe a bit thin. Blueberry with light nutmeg.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View yonster24's profile
  • Report Issue

  2/29/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 88 Points

  BIg nose of Toasty oak, Vanilla, Blueberry and Plum. This also comes through in the mouth with a medium-Full body feel. Nice tannins with a medium length finish. This wine is just a tad too "sweet."

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.