Haut-Fonrazade
St. Émilion Grand Cru
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Is Merlot Monday a thing? Okay so this is only 80% Merlot (20% Cab Franc) but it is working for me. Smells like purple plums got inspired to write poetry about the cedar trees and violets blooming in their backyard (plums DO have backyards) so they naturally whipped out number two pencils, lit a pipe, and chilled out to write in situ. The plums, the pencils, the trees and flora, the birds and bees, you get all this in here. And soy sauce. I can’t explain it. Mayhaps I’ll go old-school and give it the ol’ WSET analysis:
Eye: medium ruby teasing at the beginnings of garnet at the rim. Thick slow tears.
Nose: medium plus intensity of plums, cassis, cedar, violet, tobacco and dare I say...garrigue‽ in Merlot? Who knew.
Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium fine-grained tannins, medium plus alcohol (albeit nowadays we would have to call it high as it is 14.1 so just barely high), medium body medium plus flavors echoing the nose with the added savory soy note that is quite compelling. Finish is medium plus.
It may be too late for new year resolutions but mine is now to not neglect Merlot. Merlot Monday’s it is!
Is Merlot Monday a thing? Okay so this is only 80% Merlot (20% Cab Franc) but it is working for me. Smells like purple plums got inspired to write poetry about the cedar trees and violets blooming in their backyard (plums DO have backyards) so they naturally whipped out number two pencils, lit a pipe, and chilled out to write in situ. The plums, the pencils, the trees and flora, the birds and bees, you get all this in here. And soy sauce. I can’t explain it. Mayhaps I’ll go old-school and give it the ol’ WSET analysis:
Eye: medium ruby teasing at the beginnings of garnet at the rim. Thick slow tears.
Nose: medium plus intensity of plums, cassis, cedar, violet, tobacco and dare I say...garrigue‽ in Merlot? Who knew.
Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium fine-grained tannins, medium plus alcohol (albeit nowadays we would have to call it high as it is 14.1 so just barely high), medium body medium plus flavors echoing the nose with the added savory soy note that is quite compelling. Finish is medium plus.
It may be too late for new year resolutions but mine is now to not neglect Merlot. Merlot Monday’s it is!
Matured nuance. Spiciness created by CF. Gentle. Good enough. Enjoyable. CP good. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 220914-220919
Matured nuance. Spiciness created by CF. Gentle. Good enough. Enjoyable. CP good. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 220914-220919
Sep 16th, 2022
Very nice balanced Merlot Cab Franc blend with purple flowers and savory notes with a nice lift. Most of bottle with Margaret L as she headed back north. From JR.
Very nice balanced Merlot Cab Franc blend with purple flowers and savory notes with a nice lift. Most of bottle with Margaret L as she headed back north. From JR.
Nov 1st, 2021More than 10 years, but still tannic. Dry. Blueberry. Spicy. It is better to drink it up within a day. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 211008-211014
More than 10 years, but still tannic. Dry. Blueberry. Spicy. It is better to drink it up within a day. 2008 @1200, domaine -, 211008-211014
Oct 7th, 2021
Garagiste selection. $19.96. Very smooth tannins. 80% Merlot. Deep, dark berry tones.
Garagiste selection. $19.96. Very smooth tannins. 80% Merlot. Deep, dark berry tones.
Aug 14th, 2021
Definitely worth the wait. Gets better as it opens. Great with charcuterie and cheese for a decadent snack.
Definitely worth the wait. Gets better as it opens. Great with charcuterie and cheese for a decadent snack.
Feb 25th, 2018