Kenefick Ranch
Estate Grown Calistoga Merlot
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Popped and poured. This was a selection from a friend’s cellar and since I just enjoyed a couple bottles of Merlot the other night, I figure we might as well check in on this 2015 from Kenefick Ranch. Popped and poured, the wine pours a deep purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, this smells like a big wine. Developing, with powerful notes of plums, blackberries, purple flowers, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, this tastes like a big wine. Dry with medium tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a high alcohol, high octane version of Merlot. Drink now and through 2030.
Popped and poured. This was a selection from a friend’s cellar and since I just enjoyed a couple bottles of Merlot the other night, I figure we might as well check in on this 2015 from Kenefick Ranch. Popped and poured, the wine pours a deep purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, this smells like a big wine. Developing, with powerful notes of plums, blackberries, purple flowers, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, this tastes like a big wine. Dry with medium tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a high alcohol, high octane version of Merlot. Drink now and through 2030.
Feb 6th, 2024
V10. Man is this good! White pepper and soft cedar bouquet. Dark cherry and plum fruit with a soft black pepper and mocha finish. Not Merlot like at all.
V10. Man is this good! White pepper and soft cedar bouquet. Dark cherry and plum fruit with a soft black pepper and mocha finish. Not Merlot like at all.
1 person found it helpfulOct 4th, 2015
A decent merlot but a little light on the palate and finish for me. Blackberry and plum flavors mix with hints of cedar and vanilla. I tend enjoy bigger Cali Merlots such as Hourglass, Switchback or Seavey more.
A decent merlot but a little light on the palate and finish for me. Blackberry and plum flavors mix with hints of cedar and vanilla. I tend enjoy bigger Cali Merlots such as Hourglass, Switchback or Seavey more.
Sep 15th, 2016v17. Outstanding. Soft smokey nose. Bold, rich, blackberry and plum fruit. Smooth, slightly chewy Moc hand leather finish.
v17. Outstanding. Soft smokey nose. Bold, rich, blackberry and plum fruit. Smooth, slightly chewy Moc hand leather finish.
Nov 8th, 2024
Good wine but straight to the truth: herby finish on this merlot, gets better with time, but doesn’t quite turn.
Good wine but straight to the truth: herby finish on this merlot, gets better with time, but doesn’t quite turn.
Oct 31st, 2023v17. Outstanding! Soft white pepper, violet and smoke nose. Juicy, jammy black fruit medley. Full, long, tight, spicy, soft leather and chocolate finish. Nicely balanced. One of my favorites!
v17. Outstanding! Soft white pepper, violet and smoke nose. Juicy, jammy black fruit medley. Full, long, tight, spicy, soft leather and chocolate finish. Nicely balanced. One of my favorites!
Jun 25th, 2023V13. Very good. Fragrant olive and cedar nose. Rich, blackberry and plum fruit. Velvety smooth, mocha, vanilla and soft black pepper finish.
V13. Very good. Fragrant olive and cedar nose. Rich, blackberry and plum fruit. Velvety smooth, mocha, vanilla and soft black pepper finish.
Mar 22nd, 2020Red raspberry and bing cherry nose and a palate of ripe raspberry, herbs, vanilla, chocolate and mocha with a hint of spice and a little bit of sauteed mushroom. Finish revealed a young tobacco and a hint of green pepper and black pepper spice. Nice acidity on the front and stiff oak tannin finish, going well with a salmon and honey/basil dish and also showing well by itself. Still has 5 years in it quite easily.
Red raspberry and bing cherry nose and a palate of ripe raspberry, herbs, vanilla, chocolate and mocha with a hint of spice and a little bit of sauteed mushroom. Finish revealed a young tobacco and a hint of green pepper and black pepper spice. Nice acidity on the front and stiff oak tannin finish, going well with a salmon and honey/basil dish and also showing well by itself. Still has 5 years in it quite easily.
Jul 18th, 2019Svetovy duel vin Hustopece, 25.11.2017
Svetovy duel vin Hustopece, 25.11.2017
Dec 4th, 2017Beautiful, straightforward, strong bodied merlot
Beautiful, straightforward, strong bodied merlot
Oct 15th, 2016