Alexander Valley Merlot

Ok so I thought this one might have been past prime. Now I know....it's still got 3 years before it is at pop and pour. Still very young. Acidity on the front and back. Bing cherry and milk chocolate with a brambly middle. Took it almost an hour to get going. Would have gone well with something fatty to mellow it out. If you have this vintage or the 14s or 16s, there is still a lot of time. Not sure that this will improve note wise by additional aging but I definitely think it would help the acidity settle down a bit.

Consistently good, but also consistently needs a few years to work itself out. Tonight was no exception. I recently took delivery of the 2015, which needs probably 3 years before it can be touched. This 2013 had major acidity issues for about 2 hours after cork pop. Once it settled down it became very enjoyable. Almost a purple fruit on this one, but more of a dirty black cherry with saddle leather and hints of allspice. Finishes with some pepper and tannin. Very enjoyable. Not a knockout, but an easy 9.3.

2/19/18 - 'I'm going to bring home a young Merlot' he said. 'I won't drink it for a few months if not a year or so because it's probably not ready to go' he said. 2/20/18 -- 'I want a Merlot tonight.' .....aaaaand it's GONE! This wine poured a nice maroon color to the glass with a meaty, somewhat bitter chocolate and herb note on the nose. The entry is a very young black cherry profile with some bloody/meaty notes. Young chocolate bitters here as well. Finishes with a pretty powerful oaked tannin that really kind of mutes the finish at initial pour. Nice acidity throughout. Confirms my suspicion that the other 14's need to sit for about 3 years before this one comes out to play again and I need to drink vintages that are about 3-4 years older now with about a 1-2 hour decant.

Excellently smooth merlot - could have let this puppy age for several more years.

Outstanding perfect balance a Merlot at its finest!

Aged nicely! A Merlot which made me think of a Cab - 2002 vintage

Smooth fruit forward Merlot. Bold like a Cab.

Clear ruby color, nose of cedar and red fruit, body full; soft but present tannins initiate the attack but accede to the cherry body that carries to a long finish

Fantastic!

Wine was just ok but I'm not a big Merlot fan. Had at La Fontana Della Cita. Arugula ad with lemon vinaigrette, portobello and red peppers. Lobster Ravioli x 2!