Trinchero Napa Valley
Chicken Ranch Vineyard Merlot
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA
Mature calm fruit. Vanilla oak. 2005 and staying alive. An unexpected treat.
Mature calm fruit. Vanilla oak. 2005 and staying alive. An unexpected treat.
Jul 4th, 2020
Really good - right in its prime - smiling
Really good - right in its prime - smiling
Jan 11th, 2020Garnet. Did not knock my socks off. Gritty. Tight. Was expecting a more mellow, well balanced outcome.
Garnet. Did not knock my socks off. Gritty. Tight. Was expecting a more mellow, well balanced outcome.
Nov 16th, 2018
Time for #MerlotThursday! Here is a great one from Rutherford.
Dark dirty ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Still fruity on the nose with black plums, black cherries, black currants, cooked cherries, raisins, earth, leather, vanilla, light cedar, spices, vinaigrette, light alcohol, pencil lead, dark chocolates, dark coffee and peppercorn. I loved the nose, so complex.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, black currants, wood, vanilla, vegetables, dark coffee, bitter herbs, leather, licorice, earth, black pepper, chocolates and spices.
Long finish with persistent yet fine tannins, and tangy raspberries.
This 8 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is drinking very nicely now, with an awesome nose that I just kept on smelling, for a long while.
This Single Vineyard is nicely balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Will get even better in the next few years as it gets smoother.
This is a great sipping wine, to drink all by itself and talk about.
100% Merlot grapes were aged for 20 months in French Oak barrels (45% new).
14.2% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$39.
Time for #MerlotThursday! Here is a great one from Rutherford.
Dark dirty ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Still fruity on the nose with black plums, black cherries, black currants, cooked cherries, raisins, earth, leather, vanilla, light cedar, spices, vinaigrette, light alcohol, pencil lead, dark chocolates, dark coffee and peppercorn. I loved the nose, so complex.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, black currants, wood, vanilla, vegetables, dark coffee, bitter herbs, leather, licorice, earth, black pepper, chocolates and spices.
Long finish with persistent yet fine tannins, and tangy raspberries.
This 8 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is drinking very nicely now, with an awesome nose that I just kept on smelling, for a long while.
This Single Vineyard is nicely balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Will get even better in the next few years as it gets smoother.
This is a great sipping wine, to drink all by itself and talk about.
100% Merlot grapes were aged for 20 months in French Oak barrels (45% new).
14.2% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$39.
Usually Merlot is not among my favorites, but clearly I have been drinking the wrong wines. This wine is wonderfully smooth and balanced with medium-high tannins. Aromas of tobacco, raspberry and pomegranate fill the glass. It has a full bodied pallate of dark cherries and nutmeg, with hints of cocoa and a bit of spice that continue into a long enjoyable finish. Drank at VIC's in NE Minneapolis for mystery wine night, and paired with a Kobe beef burger! ($36)
Usually Merlot is not among my favorites, but clearly I have been drinking the wrong wines. This wine is wonderfully smooth and balanced with medium-high tannins. Aromas of tobacco, raspberry and pomegranate fill the glass. It has a full bodied pallate of dark cherries and nutmeg, with hints of cocoa and a bit of spice that continue into a long enjoyable finish. Drank at VIC's in NE Minneapolis for mystery wine night, and paired with a Kobe beef burger! ($36)
2 people found it helpfulMar 27th, 2016
This is a beautiful wine. New world in its extracted high alc richness, but old world with its bone dry leather. Heavy on French oak. Baked strawberries.
This is a beautiful wine. New world in its extracted high alc richness, but old world with its bone dry leather. Heavy on French oak. Baked strawberries.
1 person found it helpfulDec 19th, 2015Good taste. More like a cab though
Good taste. More like a cab though
1 person found it helpfulNov 26th, 2014
Gritty Tannin Dusty cherry she's big for her britches but don't that deter ya boy, saddle up and ride! You could even ride her when she is a bit older in 5yrs and the experience she would gather I reckon would be worth it.
Dark plum cassis and black bush berries, fill out the light sagey spiced nosed, great weight. I still think it is the best thing they do.
Gritty Tannin Dusty cherry she's big for her britches but don't that deter ya boy, saddle up and ride! You could even ride her when she is a bit older in 5yrs and the experience she would gather I reckon would be worth it.
Dark plum cassis and black bush berries, fill out the light sagey spiced nosed, great weight. I still think it is the best thing they do.
Had at Songkran. Drinks more like a cab.
Had at Songkran. Drinks more like a cab.
1 person found it helpfulOct 5th, 2014
Really delicious old Merlot, saved just for us!
Really delicious old Merlot, saved just for us!
Dec 22nd, 2022