Castoro Cellars
Estate Grown Paso Robles Merlot
Dense purple, highly extracted pigment. Cherry, mixed berry and sage notes in nose on initial pour. Blueberry, cherry flavors, light fine-grained skin astringency in finish, nice length of fruit. Interesting tannin structure, heavy in skin contact, light on seeds. Tannins build in intensity with time, aeration. The Castoro style for reds is tannin-heavy, not to everybody’s taste, but I’ve always admired their commitment to a style that’s gone somewhat out of fashion elsewhere. To my thinking, it enhances even the much maligned Merlot varietal (Sideways, anyone?) No one wants to age wines like this anymore, it seems. I wonder if wines like this even need further aging. Decant, aerate, enjoy, tannins and all... Three hours should do it.
Dense purple, highly extracted pigment. Cherry, mixed berry and sage notes in nose on initial pour. Blueberry, cherry flavors, light fine-grained skin astringency in finish, nice length of fruit. Interesting tannin structure, heavy in skin contact, light on seeds. Tannins build in intensity with time, aeration. The Castoro style for reds is tannin-heavy, not to everybody’s taste, but I’ve always admired their commitment to a style that’s gone somewhat out of fashion elsewhere. To my thinking, it enhances even the much maligned Merlot varietal (Sideways, anyone?) No one wants to age wines like this anymore, it seems. I wonder if wines like this even need further aging. Decant, aerate, enjoy, tannins and all... Three hours should do it.
May 3rd, 2019Don’t normally do Merlot but this one is good. Tangy and light feel. Earthy flavors. Good wine for the price.
Don’t normally do Merlot but this one is good. Tangy and light feel. Earthy flavors. Good wine for the price.
Aug 28th, 2024Super tasty! Had for a birthday dinner. I had a fig pizza, hubby had a pork chop & it paired well with both (& the calamari app). Everything you’d expect from a California zin. Fruity, bold, full bodied, lots of tannins. Delicious!
Super tasty! Had for a birthday dinner. I had a fig pizza, hubby had a pork chop & it paired well with both (& the calamari app). Everything you’d expect from a California zin. Fruity, bold, full bodied, lots of tannins. Delicious!
Oct 1st, 2023Estate Merlot. Dry but not enough flavor for me.
Estate Merlot. Dry but not enough flavor for me.
Jan 10th, 2016Little sour, cinnamon, lightish, good with cheese and artichoke pizza.
Little sour, cinnamon, lightish, good with cheese and artichoke pizza.
Dec 6th, 2015