Cosentino Winery
Estate Meritage Blend
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
Slight brickishness on the edges but mostly a deep garnet. Throwing very little sediment. Oak jumped out of the sniff from the bottle (40 months!) but the red and black fruits became dominant. Typical of Mitch Cosentino’s style, letting the fruit show through but with a solid core of structure. Lithe. Drinking well right out of the bottle, but still rewards with some air. This wine has a LONG way to go, but is at its peak. I’m always impressed by the (pre-bankruptcy) Cosentino wines for how drinkable they are immediately and yet benefit from aging. It’s a tightrope not many can walk. The finish is incredibly long, dominant merlot, (60/40 with cab) but not a “soft” wine with the Oakville cab backing it up. Listen, this is a great wine. It’s almost 15 years old and it drinks much younger but I also know this was equally drinkable 9 years ago. More velvet glove than iron fist, but you don’t drink this well after this long without some iron to sustain it. Medium to big-bodied and it is all pleasure. Integrated tannins, red and black fruit, spice, cedar. Drink now...or wait a few years. It’s got a long way to go. I mourn the loss of Cosentino. Had this with filet roast for the inauguration and it made the special occasion even more special. If you can get your hands on it, do it. Only 40 barrels made. All. Pleasure.
Slight brickishness on the edges but mostly a deep garnet. Throwing very little sediment. Oak jumped out of the sniff from the bottle (40 months!) but the red and black fruits became dominant. Typical of Mitch Cosentino’s style, letting the fruit show through but with a solid core of structure. Lithe. Drinking well right out of the bottle, but still rewards with some air. This wine has a LONG way to go, but is at its peak. I’m always impressed by the (pre-bankruptcy) Cosentino wines for how drinkable they are immediately and yet benefit from aging. It’s a tightrope not many can walk. The finish is incredibly long, dominant merlot, (60/40 with cab) but not a “soft” wine with the Oakville cab backing it up. Listen, this is a great wine. It’s almost 15 years old and it drinks much younger but I also know this was equally drinkable 9 years ago. More velvet glove than iron fist, but you don’t drink this well after this long without some iron to sustain it. Medium to big-bodied and it is all pleasure. Integrated tannins, red and black fruit, spice, cedar. Drink now...or wait a few years. It’s got a long way to go. I mourn the loss of Cosentino. Had this with filet roast for the inauguration and it made the special occasion even more special. If you can get your hands on it, do it. Only 40 barrels made. All. Pleasure.
Jan 22nd, 2021