"Odedi"

8.9

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep ruby in color with a reddish/ brick rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth and light vegetables.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This 11-year-old Merlot from Bordeaux is a little unbalanced, but drinkable nonetheless. Elegant and complex, but lost some of its fruits by now.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

I had this vintage 2 years ago and it is drinking a little better now.

A good food wine that I paired with pizza.

100% Merlot grapes from 70 year old vines, were aged in French oak barrels (70% new). A small production of only 9,000 bottles.

13% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35 (current vintage). — 2 months ago

Mike St.Vincent

9.5

Sweet. Flavorful. Feels thin, but does not lack in taste. — 3 years ago

Mrs MOB

9.0

Husbands favorite from winefest. — 5 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

When Riesling is good it immediately shows, the sweetness is tangible but so is the acidic contrast which refreshes the palate there and again. Cheers. — 10 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 | 60 % Cabernet Franc 40 % Cot from vignes that are 30 to 50 years old. 18 months barrel aging, 8 months in bottle. 35 hl/ha. I decanted the wine 2 hours in advance. Medium transparency, cardinal red rim. Red currant and blackberries, full bodied with character, fine acidity. Drinks supple with a bitter touch. This is really good. Certainly for its modest origin. But you can’t say that - it seems - these days because dedicated winegrowers can be found everywhere. | Paired with ostrich stew. — 3 years ago

Jean ASmith

9.2

One of the best Virginia cab francs I’ve had. — 3 years ago

Katie Cramp

9.1

Dry and bold. WTSO — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute. — a year ago

Kimberly Drake Rebchook

8.9

Tastes even better after it breathes. Robust, hearty grape taste. Nice tannins. No lingering aftertaste. Smooth mature wine with a pleasant finish. — 3 years ago

Monika Elling

9.0

Really opened up and just lovely. Black fruit, structured yet supple. — 5 years ago