Nickel & Nickel
Suscol Ranch Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
You should never drink & drive but, it’s ok when it’s Santa’s magical sleigh.
The nose broods; dark cassis & some currants, candied, dark chocolate, covered cherries, blackberries, stewed plum, baked strawberries, sweet tarriness, black licorice, very, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon and vanillin notes, wet clay, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, hints graphite, very dark cola to liqueur characteristics, whiff of white pepper, some dry herbs-Rosemary dominant with slight candied, bright, fresh, dark, red florals.
The body is thick, rich & full. I thought this would be near or at its peak but, there is another 3-5 years before it gets there. The structure & tension are still quite powerful. The tannins are round but, thick, tarry, chewy and still well pronounced. It’s good but, lacks a little depth, complexity & character for me. Dark cassis & some currants, candied, dark chocolate, covered cherries, blackberries, stewed plum, baked strawberries, raspberries playing hide & go seek, sweet tarriness, black licorice, strong dark spices with plenty of palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick and vanillin notes, wet clay forest floor, shades of mushroom pop up, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, hints graphite, dry tobacco with ash, leathery, very dark cola to liqueur characteristics, white pepper, some dry herbs-Rosemary dominant with slight candied, bright, fresh, dark, red, blue & purple florals. The acidity is like a gentle spring. The long finish is, ripe, ruby, slightly candied, juicy and elegant that falls into seriously pronounced dark spices. Especially, for Merlot.
Good wine...it’s just lacks the depth I look for in a 10 year old red. And, not sure it delivers it down the road.
You should never drink & drive but, it’s ok when it’s Santa’s magical sleigh.
The nose broods; dark cassis & some currants, candied, dark chocolate, covered cherries, blackberries, stewed plum, baked strawberries, sweet tarriness, black licorice, very, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon and vanillin notes, wet clay, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, hints graphite, very dark cola to liqueur characteristics, whiff of white pepper, some dry herbs-Rosemary dominant with slight candied, bright, fresh, dark, red florals.
The body is thick, rich & full. I thought this would be near or at its peak but, there is another 3-5 years before it gets there. The structure & tension are still quite powerful. The tannins are round but, thick, tarry, chewy and still well pronounced. It’s good but, lacks a little depth, complexity & character for me. Dark cassis & some currants, candied, dark chocolate, covered cherries, blackberries, stewed plum, baked strawberries, raspberries playing hide & go seek, sweet tarriness, black licorice, strong dark spices with plenty of palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick and vanillin notes, wet clay forest floor, shades of mushroom pop up, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, hints graphite, dry tobacco with ash, leathery, very dark cola to liqueur characteristics, white pepper, some dry herbs-Rosemary dominant with slight candied, bright, fresh, dark, red, blue & purple florals. The acidity is like a gentle spring. The long finish is, ripe, ruby, slightly candied, juicy and elegant that falls into seriously pronounced dark spices. Especially, for Merlot.
Good wine...it’s just lacks the depth I look for in a 10 year old red. And, not sure it delivers it down the road.
Napa Merlot for Cabernet lovers. A dark, ruddy merlot color in the glass, as is appropriate. The nose is warm and inviting with a bit of baking spice and oak. Plums and blackberries galore! Cherries and black tea for days. Just a touch of leather and dusty earth.
I love Merlot. Oh so much. The Caberneted versions of Merlot don’t usually ring my bell but this is special and just plain yummy. Settled acidity with plenty of complexity and depth. It’s a big brawny wine but not ridiculously so. There’s restraint and class shown here. Dark chocolate and more spice on the palate to go with all of that dark fruit. A particularly interesting and excellent Napa Merlot.
Napa Merlot for Cabernet lovers. A dark, ruddy merlot color in the glass, as is appropriate. The nose is warm and inviting with a bit of baking spice and oak. Plums and blackberries galore! Cherries and black tea for days. Just a touch of leather and dusty earth.
I love Merlot. Oh so much. The Caberneted versions of Merlot don’t usually ring my bell but this is special and just plain yummy. Settled acidity with plenty of complexity and depth. It’s a big brawny wine but not ridiculously so. There’s restraint and class shown here. Dark chocolate and more spice on the palate to go with all of that dark fruit. A particularly interesting and excellent Napa Merlot.
2009 -- light and fruity with a spicy finish.
2009 -- light and fruity with a spicy finish.
Mar 10th, 2015
