"Odedi"

8.9

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

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

The nose is simpler than I expected right out of the bottle, but beautiful once it opens up.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, espresso, earth, light forest floor and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Merlot based blend from Bordeaux is drinking nicely now, and feels young, especially on the nose.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. I did not decant it and left it in the bottle. I was actually worried that it will die sooner, but it still has a lot in it. Love to see that. Only after 2 hours, the nose opened up and tannins showed up.

This 26 years old is easy drinking and good by itself or with food. I had the 2010 vintage, five years ago, and I liked it better this time.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Paired nicely with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$100. — 3 months ago

David Walser

9.3

Holding up well for 26 years old. I’m generally not a fan of cabs at this age but after being open for awhile, I was very impressed. — a year ago

Adam Kincaid

9.4

This bottle gushes out flavors like a Viking gushes blood on a battlefield.

Dark sanguine hues set the tone for iron rich aromas featuring tar, bacon grease, dark chocolate and old leather. As it opens up there are some pomegranate and vanilla cola flavors to compliment pepper, espresso, and blood. Big structure but still smooth.

Heavy metal Syrah right here.

Thank you @Mason Balistreri, you are missed. This one is for you. — a year ago

with Jillian

Victor Hsu

9.2

Rich and mouthfilling, grapey but not raisiny, dark fruits and subtle spice, delightful nose advertising the flavors to come, a tad bit of alcohol on the finish but that’s my fault—I was so eager to drink this beauty that I chose not to decant first. I had the 1995 vintage and it tasted amazingly fresh for a 26-year old bottle. Paired with a flavorful French blue, Fourme d’Ambert, and a Welsh Cheddar, with good bread, toasted walnuts and fig preserves. Bliss. — 2 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Apparently this is $1000+ per bottle. It was very nice - love the nose- but sounds like marketing to me. 26 years old. — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This 4 year old Napa Cabernet is drinking very nicely now, although still young.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black fruits, cedar and spices.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, vanilla, licorice, cedar, earth, peppercorn and light black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

Spicy and rich. Elegant and soft.

Fruit forward right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens up (90 minutes).

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. A small production of only 7 barrels. Aged in French oak barrels for 26 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$85. — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

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

Dark purple /inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Very dry on the palate with medium plus acidity.

Showing black currants, dried figs, raisins, over ripen cherries, light oak, licorice, light vanilla, spices, mildew, chocolates, tobacco leaf, bitter herbs, light earth, cola and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This 11 year old, Single Vineyard, Merlot blend from Argentina is still drinking nicely, although not in its peak anymore. I've been meaning to drink it for a few years, but so much wine, so little time... 😉

Showing nice complexity with an elegant mouthfeel. Feels like an older Right Bank Bordeaux. Interesting stuff.

A little off now, and lost much of the fruits, but still enjoyable especially with food.

Good right out of the bottle and did not change much with airtime. Alcohol is well integrated by now.

A small production of only 26 barrels produced.

A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$45. — a year ago

Jonathan Wall

9.5

Really? Wow. At 26 years old, not only hanging in there… but highly enjoyable. The mustiness had to blow off for a while, and then it hit its stride. Some toasty fruit remains in front of a long finish. cheers to ending 2023. …. Still going. Finish still going…. Going… — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing currents, plums, cherries, oak, wet leaves, herbs, black pepper, tobacco leaf, earth, dark coffee and black tea.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 26 year old Merlot is still drinking very nicely. Showing a nice mouthfeel with nice complexity.

Will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years, but will not improve from here on.

Needs an hour to open up properly, so be patient.

This was not a good vintage in Pomerol, but it held up pretty well.

Good by itself or with food.

A blend of mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$250. — 10 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

This is a very tasty German Riesling.

Off dry on the palate with nice complexity, and a beautiful nose of wild flowers.

Showing citrus, lemons, apples, tropical fruits, kiwi, pineapples, white pepper, minerals and spices.

This 26 year old is still drinking nicely, which is nice to see. Showing nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime. I did not decant it.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine. Drinks like juice, and will also pair nicely with spicy Asian dishes.

8% alcohol by volume.

91 points. — a year ago