It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.
There are always exceptions to the rule! Usually known as a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend, but this vintage is Merlot based.
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Strong nose of black currants, blackberries, plums, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black pepper and tobacco leaf.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with blueberries, blackberries, black currants, cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, herbs, coffee, licorice, tobacco leaf, peppercorn, earth and black tea.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Bordeaux. Elegant and nicely balanced. Complex and engaging. Rich and powerful, but not extracted.
This 8 year old First Growth Bordeaux is starting to drink nicely, but feels very young and closed. Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly, but already very complex and delicious by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the 25 years.
Showing good structure and quality, fruit-forward, elegant, and soft. Evolved beautifully in the glass, and gained depth and complexity as it opened up.
I had its brother/cousin, château Mission Haut-Brion, recently and it is not as earthy as the Mission was.
Tasting these kind of wines at this early stage, is always hard, but someone's got to do it.
A great sipping wine, that will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (70% new) French oak barrels for 18 months.
14% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$550. — a month ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Strong nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.
Showing black fruits with cedar, chocolates, coffee, light earth, herbs, tobacco and black pepper.
This is a delicious Merlot from Saint Emilion. Complex and nicely balanced. Rich and spicy.
Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already drinking beautifully.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. A great vintage that is very giving at the moment.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.
A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels.
15% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$50. — 2 months ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.
Dark purple in color with a reddish rim.
Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, cherries, light oak and chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, light oak, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.
Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a tasty Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Pauillac. Easy drinking and nicely balanced. Spicy and entertaining.
Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Soft and elegant.
Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.
A good food wine.
A blend of 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in used French oak barrels for 12 months.
14% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$32. — 10 days ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.
Reddish in color with medium plus intensity and a wide reddish rim.
Strong nose of red fruits with light cedar, earth, tobacco leaf, black pepper, herbs and black tea.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Fruity and rich. Complex and entertaining.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of airtime.
This Single Vineyard Merlot is elegant and nicely balanced. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
I had different vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.
Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.
100% Merlot grapes were aged in French oak barrels. A tiny production of only 300 bottles.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$100. — 24 days ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth and black tea.
Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This 10 year old Merlot from Saint Emilion still feels young. Drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
This second wine is good right out of the bottle, and much better after a couple of hours of airtime.
Wine Spectator 91 points. Wine Advocate 92 points.
A nice sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 22 months in all new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$50. — a month ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Inky in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose with cooked plums, cedar, chocolates, black pepper, spices, light earth and tobacco leaf.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black plums, currants, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, light cinnamon and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Single Vineyard Merlot from Napa valley. Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruit forward, rich and complex.
This 7 year old Merlot is drinking beautifully now and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
The nose feels very fresh and complex. Showing a touch of Right Bank Bordeaux feel, which makes it more interesting.
Needed an hour in the decanter to open up properly and balance itself out.
Good by itself as a sipping wine and good with food. Will pair nicely with lamb chops or grilled meats.
100% Merlot grapes were aged in French oak barrels. A tiny production of only 300 bottles.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$100. — 2 months ago
Chateau Clinet
By Clinet Pomerol 2020, Bordeaux, France
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby/ purple in color with a reddish rim.
Light nose and medium in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing raspberries, cherries, plums, currants, light wood, earth, spices, coffee, herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 6 year old Merlot from Pomerol is drinking very nicely now. Elegant, fruit forward and nicely balanced.
A good quality wine. Easy drinking with a nice mouthfeel.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.
A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 12 months in used French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$40. — 16 days ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Deep purple in color with a reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of black plums, black cherries, red currants, light cedar, coffee, light earth, herbs, light vegetables and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.
Very dry on the palate with black plums, black currants, coffee, oak, light cloves, earth, tobacco leaf, bitter herbs, peppercorn, light licorice and green tea.
Tangy finish with fine grain tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Merlot from Napa valley. Showing nice complexity with an elegant mouthfeel.
Needed 2 hours in a decanter to open up.
This 8-year-old Merlot is still drinking beautifully. Lost some of its fruits, and it is very dry now.
Drinking at its peak, and will not get any better from here. Really loved the nose at this point.
Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with barbecue meats or burgers. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
14.4% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$65. — a month ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Purple in color with medium intensity.
Fruity nose of red fruits with light chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing raspberries, cherries, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, earth and light vegetables.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 7 year old Merlot from Walla Walla Valley is drinking very nicely now. Rich, but not extracted. Spicy and entertaining.
This Single Vineyard Merlot is easy drinking and good by itself or with food.
Aged in (20% new) French oak barrels for 18 months. A small production of only 300 cases.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$45. — 2 months ago
"Odedi"
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Pretty color of ruby with a wide reddish rim.
Still very fresh on the nose with red and black fruits, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, currants, black cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, herbs, light earth, chocolates and peppercorn.
Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is very tasty Merlot from Pomerol. Rich and engaging. Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and entertaining.
This 9 year old Merlot feels much younger, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 12 months in (30% new) French oak barrels.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$50. — 3 days ago