Mark Flesher

9.2

Compared with a note of almost two years ago, this one has done some substantial growing up. Medium-plus density wine. Poured very dark to the glass with a faint hint of violet. The nose is brambly Blackberry, chocolate, and sweet tobacco. This wine sort of seems to have a munch rounder profile through the front and middle.
Black fruit front with a hint of cigar Ash and sweet pipe tobacco. Middle is darker. Dark chocolate notes with a much more mature profile. Still a fair amount of tannin and soil terroir on the finish. A very lovely wine that really shows well with only 5 to 10 minutes of air. This one isn't getting any better in the bottle, so drink up! — 4 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

This was my contribution. Everyone guessed Napa. This was decanted about two hours prior to being poured and it was firing on all cylinders (I thought it would still be a little unforgiving). Large and in charge merlot. Mocha, sweet pipe tobacco, and a lot of ripe blackberry. Nutmeg and cinnamon. Rich and opulent. — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

Shay A

9.0

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

I guessed domestic merlot between 2012-2014 from Napa. Very classic merlot. Ripe red and black fruits on the nose, slightly floral on the palate, as well as cedar wood, with good acidity. Thanks @Andrew Heffley — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

"Odedi"

8.9

Time for #MerlotThursday. Here is a great Merlot from California.

A pretty color of dark ruby, with a wide reddish/ burgundy rim.

Great nose of cherries, blueberries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco leaf, earth and mocha.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, sweet strawberries, raspberries, light vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, leather, earth, peppercorn, pencil lead and red candy.

Nice length on the finish with tangy pomegranates and round tannins.

This is a nice surprise. This 5 year old Merlot from Santa Clara Valley in California is drinking very nicely now. Showing a nice mouthfeel with nice complexity.

Needs an hour to open up properly and come to its own.

At some point the nose reminded me of a Napa Cabernet, as it changed in the glass every 10 minutes, which was a wonderful experience, as I got to taste different wines in the same glass 😉

Would age nicely in the next 3 to 5 years.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. Aged for 36 months in oak barrels (25% New).

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$24. — 11 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

I guessed French wine with a vintage around 2010-2012. Very nice Italian merlot. There was a dustiness characteristic to the red and black fruit with swisher sweet like tobacco. Very fun to try next to my Long Shadows Pedestal as they were about as different as can be! Thanks @Benjamin Keator — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

I guessed this was French and that it was mid-2000s. Quite a bit of herbal notes, soft plum and stewed red and black fruits. Low acidity. Came across as over the hill a bit, which is surprising given the vintage. Still a nice merlot from Sonoma. — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

I called this Napa merlot between 2013-2015. Similar to some of the other merlots of the night, I got a dustiness to the fruit. Nicely balanced with good acidity and tannin. Definitely more red and black fruit dominant with bay leaf and a streak of licorice down the middle. I could see this going up in score a little bit over the next couple of years. Thanks @Jack Thompson — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

Shay A

9.4

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

Probably my WOTN. I guessed Napa merlot between 2012-2014. Really benefited from being decanted as it changed quite a bit. At first, it had some leather and herbal aromatics but after a while, it turned to more dark fruit and nutmeg. Very soft and round on the palate showing mocha and baked plums. Very enjoyable, but give it a decant if popping soon. Thanks @Weston Eidson — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF group. Theme this month was merlot. All wines tasted blind.

I called this 2012-2014 Napa merlot. Very balanced. Chalky tannins. Red, blue and black fruit. Aside from the Pedestal, I got more chocolate and dates here than the others. It wasn’t exuberant nor shy, just a nice “down the middle” wine. Thanks @Bill Makens — 5 days ago

with Jack, Andrew and 3 others

Ron R

9.2

After a period in the doldrums, I think Duckhorn is re-emerging. On day 3, this is still in a great place. Textured, balanced and complex. Plush tannins emerge along with bright acidity. This will take medium-term cellaring. — 8 hours ago

with Anne-marie