David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

My continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.

The nose shows, rich, candied and floral fruits that are: blackberries dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries on the edges with just a touch of freshly picked rhubarb. Soft minerals & baking spices and bright candied dark, red and purple flowers.

The palate shows ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, caramel notes, red cola & licorice, fresh & dry herbs, dark, smooth spices, dark, rich, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twigs, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, dry stone & top soil, barrel shavings, dry tobacco w/ ash, limestone, grey volcanics dark, red candied with some withering flowers with violets, excellent acidity with a round, lush, well made, balance, mid tension, elegant finish that last ninety seconds and lands squarely on spice, clove and dry minerals.

This should be cellared 8-10 and enjoyed over the next 15-20 years plus properly stored.

At $1,140 a bottle, a hard pass for many, but excellent wine with potential for another 2 points w/ age. — 11 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

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

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Red and black fruits on the nose with wild flowers, earth, light wood, garrigue, spices and coffee.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, currants, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, fresh herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 5 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is drinking nicely now. Feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux.

Earthy, nicely balanced and complex. Loved the nose here.

Robert Parker 91 points.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

100% Merlot grapes were aged in (33% new) French and American Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$60. — a month ago

Juan Pablo Perez

9.1

Nariz: mora, arandano, ciruela, cassis, vainilla, tierra

Boca: Tanino M+, Acidez M/M+, Alcohol M+ — 6 hours ago

Michael Tiffany

8.9

Lush
Earthy
Cherries and Blackberry
Mature Tannins
Wonderful Mouthfeel and Finish that makes you want to take another sip. — 5 days ago

Pooneet K

9.3

13.5% Mondavi reserve from 1997. What a lot of fun to try. Not sure what kinda year this was in Napa, but this is delicious. Perfect pairing with prime steaks on the grill - tons of dark red fruit with great refinement and acid on the finish. Really excellent. — 25 days ago

K L

9.3

Excellent. Stock up. — 4 days ago

with Matt

Ron Siegel

9.3

Approachable with its generous red fruits, cherry, kirsch, cassis, spice, earth, mineral & violet — 4 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Soft, plush, polished, plenty of fruit. Lovely and clever combination of freshness, depth, density and complexity.
Delicious and highly drinkable now. — 11 days ago

Carter White

9.0

Balanced and gluggable. — 10 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Much more forest and earth compared to Rafanelli zin. So fun to drink next to each other. Rafanelli won this evening but love both zins. — a month ago