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$16.95
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WS 88
WE 88
United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $20.00
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88 points Wine Spectator: "[$20 list] This solid, well-focused Merlot shows good complexity, with dried cherry and herb aromas and appealing red currant and spice flavors. Drink now through 2016. (11/15/12)"
88 points Wine & Spirits: "[$20 list] A simple, juicy merlot, this wine lasts on clean strawberry flavors. Its fine tannins give it a creamy feel. For roast beef. (Dec 2011)"
Producer notes: "The 2009 has aromas of black cherry, blackberry, oak, vanilla, plum and the slight eucalyptus typical of Alexander Valley. In the glass there are flavors of plum, vanilla, more cassis and red fruit, a touch of spice and mint. Overall the 2009 is elegant with good balance and a long aftertaste. Barrel aged 18 months in French and American oak, 30% new. 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc."
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$34.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock,
8
available
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List $42.00
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Ripe and luscious aromas of dark berries, plums, cassis and spice. The palate is rich and velvety with great intensity and fine tannins. This is a rich, complex Merlot with an intense mouth feel that evolves into an elegant, lingering toasty oak finish. Alcohol 14.9%.
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$34.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock,
1
available
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$49.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Wine & Spirits: "Purple-black fruit flavors center this merlot, while scents of coffee and tar build off the tannins at the edges. The structure, still youthfully tart, could use a year or two in bottle to mellow. Or decant it to serve with grilled sirloin. (Jun 2013)"
Producer notes: "Our 2009 Merlot displays ripe black cherry and plum compote aromas complemented by enticing tea-leaf, toasted vanilla and woodsy scents. Plush, rich and juicy on the palate, its densely concentrated black cherry, dark plum and pomegranate flavors are supported by fine-grained tannins and a long, sumptuous finish graced by savory spice and mocha tones. An irresistibly lush Merlot of great depth, length and suppleness, it drinks deliciously now, yet will develop further complexity with another 2-3 years of bottle age."
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$9.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Pure velvet! Milk chocolate, wild blackberry, baking spice, rose oil...beautifully perfumed Washington in a glass....Velvet Devil? Hell yeah!"
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$14.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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Producer notes: "[$25 list] Ripe black plum and red cherry aromas deepen in intensity with inviting notes of milk chocolate and warm spice. A palate rich with sweet dark berry fruit notes of black tea and spice balance a lightly creamy texture with soft, plush tannins and fine structure."
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$14.95
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W&S 91
WS 90
United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$22 list] Built for the long haul, this rich red leads with suave oak scents. With air, the oak relents and a rich, dark cherry-skin fruit core emerges, accented by tobacco and tar, generous yet reined in by mineral tannins. Give it time to integrate, then serve with steak. (Jun 2012)"
90 points and 'Smart Buys,' Wine Spectator: "[$22 list] Lithe, with a transparency to the dark berry, cherry and tobacco flavors. The finish shows a hint of violet, lingering with supple texture. Drink now through 2016. (6/30/12)"
'Good Value,' Connoisseurs' Guide: "[$22 list] A textbook Merlot in a good many ways, this bottling from the Canoe Ridge Estate is a very supple, ripe-leaning wine that sports a nice sense of juicy young fruit. It is temperate in tannin and sufficiently soft at the edges to drink with steaks and chops in the immediate term, but its best lies a few years ahead and we recommend a short wait. (Sep 2012)"
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$5.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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Light and refreshing with currant and blackberry flavors. Soft with layers of cherry and bright cedar.
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$5.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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$49.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc. Our Napa Valley Merlot is a complex blend of several individual vineyard lots, incorporating fruit from our Estate Vineyards and from top independent growers throughout the Napa Valley. The final wine is a rich and cohesive expression of the entire Napa Valley, reflecting the varied microclimates and soils of this unique appellation. With firm tannins and exceptional length, this is a lovely and age-worthy wine that shows how much Merlot can excel in a cooler growing season. The aromas are rich and inviting with layers of amaretto, sweet spice and cedar. On the palate, lush flavors of plum, blackberry and cherry dominate, with the tannins adding structure and depth. Barrel aged 15 months in French oak (25% new, 75% second vintage)."
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$38.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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Not yet reviewed; 2009 vintage rated 90 points by Wine Spectator: "Fragrant and supple, showing red currant and toasty vanilla aromas, with ripe flavors of cherry, tomato leaf and cedar. Drink now through 2017. 950 cases made."
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$33.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $38.00
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Producer notes: "The 2010 vintage featured a long, cool summer with below average yields allowed us to keep the grapes on the vine deep into the season. Then suddenly the bucolic harvest was interrupted by an unforeseen, intense heat spell that had everyone scrambling to get grapes into the cellar. This sudden flourish to the vintage has imprinted a sultry, seductive character to the otherwise expressive aromatics of deep plum and dark cherry. Flavors of chocolate and blueberries envelope you with their richness yet, with a balanced acidity, never weigh you down. The wine will do nicely with all the traditional Merlot pairings but will especially shine in dishes where you have decided to step it up a bit; a deeper braises, a richer stock, a more concentrated sauce. This is a wine of extraordinary pleasure, one that will be enjoyed for decades to come."
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$35.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $42.00
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'Highly recommended,' California Grapevine: "[$42 list] Medium to medium-dark ruby; attractive, herbal, cedary, dark cherry fruit aroma with smoky notes and hints of anise and cocoa; medium-full to full body; earthy, black cherry and currant flavors with notes of cocoa and black olive; medium-full tannin; slightly chalky mouthfeel and a bit drying on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Shows some maturity and is enjoyable to drink now. Highly recommended. 14.8% alcohol; released Fall 2011. (Dec 2011/Jan 2012)"
Producer notes: "[$42 list] This is a Cabernet lover's Merlot! Packed with flavors of cherries, blackberries and a hint of dried herbs on the finish, this wine's rich, complex mouthfeel makes it perfect with beef tenderloin, rack of lamb or barbecued pork."
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$10.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock,
1
available
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List $13.00
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Wine Enthusiast: "[$13 list] A pretty good Merlot for the price. It's dry and velvety, with ripe flavors of cherries, raspberries and cola. Drink with anything calling for a medium-bodied red wine. (Aug 2011)"
Producer notes: "The majority of the grapes for our Merlot come from a 1,300 ft vineyard in the upper reaches of the Yokayo benchland of Mendocino County. This benchland is excellent for growing Merlot for its warm days and chilly nights, deep loamy well drained soil and sees no fog during the growing season. Compared to adjacent Napa and Sonoma Counties, the temperatures are cooler, creating a longer growing season, longer hang time and very concentrated berries. We believe in the 'less is more' philosophy when it comes to the influence of the winemaker on the wine -- better to let the fruit express itself. The key to this Merlot is balance. To get there, ripe fruit with the right acidity was fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and new and used French barrels. Look for red and black cherries, dark plum, a touch of vanilla, and well-integrated soft tannins."
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$29.95
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WE 91
United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $38.00
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91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Merlot hardly gets richer than this. Just explodes in the mouth with flavors of black cherry, blackberry and chocolate truffle flavors. As sweet as it seems, it’s actually dry, with a wonderful edge of acidity. Drink now. Alcohol 14.3%. (Jun 2012)" 80% Estate Spring Mountain District, 20% Napa Carneros.
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$54.95
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WA 92
IWC 90
United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $64.00
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92 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$64 list] Sweet, dark cherries, tobacco, flowers and leather all come to life in the 2009 Merlot Reserve Mailbox Vineyard. The 2009 is a terrific wine with plenty of mid-palate pliancy and depth, although it can’t match the energy or vibrancy of the 2010, unfair as that comparison may be. The 2009 Reserve should enjoy a fairly wide and long drinking window. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2029. (Dec 2012)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good deep red. Brooding, medicinal aromas of dark cherry and licorice. A step up in density and concentration from the basic 2008 merlot bottling, youthfully medicinal today but with a distinctly chewy quality to its currant and chocolate flavors. With more stuffing to support its spine, this has the structure to reward some time in bottle. (May 2012)"
Producer notes: "Hints of violets and a signature spiciness show in the nose, a chocolaty creaminess combines with the rich dark full fruit on the palate, and the finish is beautifully layered, deep, elegant and very, very long. Drink now or decades from now."
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$69.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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$79.95
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WE 94
WA 93
WS 92
United States
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Merlot
In stock,
5
available
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94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Though 2009 was a difficult vintage for Washington Merlot, this is a truly luscious wine. It welcomes the taster instantly with massive, generous fruit cloaked in toasty, chewy, mocha and caramel flavors. Tasted over the course of 48 hours, it held up well, developing broad, well-integrated flavors of berries to complement the hedonistic oak. Sure to be a favorite among all the current releases from Leonetti. Alcohol 14.3%. (Aug 2011)"
93 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Merlot displays inviting aromas of balsam wood, earthy minerals, spice box, black currant and blackberry. This sets the stage for a velvety-textured, layered, succulent wine that has impressive volume and length. It will provide prime drinking from 2013 to 2024. (Aug 2011)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "A Merlot with admirable restraint, showing a lively balance of raspberry and roasted meat flavors, finishing against fine tannins. Offers freshness and immediate appeal, but there's more underneath that cellaring could bring out. Drink now through 2019. 2,471 cases made. (9/30/11)"
Producer notes: "Beautiful dark color. The warm 2009 vintage produced a very fine and generous Merlot. It is already drinking gorgeously. The wine has a stunning bouquet of berries, fresh blooming flowers, cedar shavings, and mocha. On the palate, it is incredibly long, lush, and soft, with pure fruit and melted caramel. This is a truly hedonistic Merlot."
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$79.95
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WE 95
WS 93
WA 93
United States
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Merlot
In stock,
10
available
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95 points Wine Enthusiast: "A classic take on Merlot--this is 100% varietal, and was aged for 15 months in new and neutral French oak barrels and botti. The flavors move through strawberry, raspberry and Bing cherry, with great breadth of flavor and texture throughout. The midpalate is concentrated and full, with a fine, lingering, superclean finish. (Sep 2012)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Shows real presence and depth, offering a vibrant package of red berry, cherry and black currant, with hints of licorice and herbs as the finish lingers impressively. Cellaring should soften the raw feel and make this something special. Best from 2015 through 2020. 1,500 cases made. (10/15/12)"
93 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The Leonetti 2010 Merlot - which, unlike any preceding vintage save for 2000 and 2008, was blended with no other variety - offers a perfect validation of Chris Figgins's intention to render a serious, self-standing wine from this grape capable of starring in Washington if given the right, sufficiently clay-rich and thermally temperate sort of site. Fresh dark cherry and purple plum already announced in the nose take on a delightful primary juiciness and invigoratingly tart fruit skin edge on a fine-grained palate. This is so exuberantly juicy and saliva-stimulating in its long, lip-smacking finish - a feature no doubt enhanced by bottling after only 14 months in barrique, and justifying the release of Leonetti Merlots a year ahead of their other wines - that you can't possibly take just one sip. Piquant fruit pit, crushed stone, and peat add interest and stimulation to an energetic yet lusciously ripe and richly-textured effort whose longevity will, I predict, surprise most wine lovers (perhaps even its authors?) and extend for more than a dozen years. The intended Merlot self-sufficiency on exhibit here is furthered by Figgins' increasing reliance on grapes from their relatively cool, long-ripening Mill Creek Upland Vineyard, with fruit from Seven Hills or Loess more apt to end up being selectively blended into their other reds or sold off. (Dec 2012)"
Producer notes: "Dense, dark, and lush but with amazing focus and levity. Loaded with dark blue and black fruits. Gorgeous high tone aromatics are reminiscent of brambleberry reduction compote. Long and plush on the palate, but with a fine grained tannin structure and brilliant acidity from the epic 2010 vintage. This may be the finest Merlot in Leonetti’s history. I am completely enamored by the complexity of this wine. The cool vintage gives such restraint to the opulence of the fruit. This wine will drink well upon release but age for many years to come. 1,500 cases. Barrel aged 15 months in new and neutral French oak barrels and neutral French oak botti."
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$69.95
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WS 93
United States
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Merlot
In stock,
4
available
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93 points Wine Spectator: "A supple texture wraps around a complex and dense core, with aromas of currant, mocha and fresh coffee bean leading to layered flavors of plum, spicy espresso and dill. Hands off for now if you can resist. Best from 2014 through 2020. 50 cases made. (2013)"
Producer notes: "2010 was another rock 'n roll vintage for Merlot. Like 'Cherry Garcia' ice cream this wine is absolutely rich and delicious with far-out black cherry fruit and a kaleidoscope of mind-bending aromas like cookie dough, caramel, cinnamon-mocha, and toasty oak spice. You'll be grateful for the natural acid and supple tannin that keeps everything real and ensures a long, great trip. 50 cases produced."
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$24.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock,
7
available
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List $30.00
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Producer notes: "[$30 list] The 2010 vintage Marilyn Merlot is the 26th annual production of this respected wine. This year’s release is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown and fermented in the Napa Valley. The wine's color is vibrantly garnet and the complex aromas of blueberries, anise and toasty oak all work in harmony for a wine worthy of its legacy. Moderate alcohol, soft fruit flavors and a lingering finish makes this wine a great companion with foods of many cuisines. Vineyard locations for this wine are from our longtime grower associates in the Yountville and Oakville regions of the Napa Valley. Alcohol: 13.9%."
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$8.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "The 2011 McManis Family Vineyards Merlot is deep purple in color and is filled with pleasant scents of Strawberry preserve and fresh cherry. Subtle notes of vanilla and caramel are contributed from the wines' time on oak. The bold yet round wine achieves a superb balance of fruit and oak flavors. The caramel notes promised by the olfactory loiter well after the last of the wine is gone. Alcohol 13.5%."
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$22.95
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United States
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Merlot
In stock,
3
available
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List $26.00
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Producer notes: "Born at our west-side ranch in the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains, this delightful wine offers a bounty of rich, ripe cherry and berry coupled with subtle oak overtones. Well balanced with soft tannins, bright fruit and natural acidity, this wine has a smooth mouth-feel and alluring aftertaste. Alcohol 15%."
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$69.95
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WS 94
United States
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Merlot
In stock,
3
available
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94 points and 'Top 100 Wines of 2012 (#96),' Wine Spectator: "Plush and richly structured, but with a dense, structured core, offering aromas of red currant and toasty mocha that lead to complex flavors of black cherry and Asian spice. Loamy, ripe tannins sneak in on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,600 cases made. (5/31/12)"
Producer notes: "89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple in color, the 2009 Merlot offers olallieberry and freshly-baked gingerbread on the nose. Plush tannins overlay a well-formed structure, while flavors of roasted herbs and concentrated mountain-grown blackberries blend together seamlessly. The weighty palate hints that this wine will continue to evolve beautifully with proper cellaring. The finish features lingering notes of whetting stone and blue raspberries."
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$71.95
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WA 93
WE 91
United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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List $80.00
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93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$80 list] A firm core of tannins provides the underlying structure for the 2010 Merlot. This juicy, dark, yet wonderfully sophisticated and polished wine impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. The 2010 is impossibly young now, and it needs time, but is hugely promising. Layers of fruit flow effortlessly to the long, voluptuous finish. The blend is 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. (Dec 2012)"
91 points Wine Enthusiast: "An exceptionally well-structured, elegant Merlot that would have been better if not for the vintage, which was less than stellar. Not fully ripe, the wine shows herb- and tobacco-influenced black cherry, blackberry, red currant and oak flavors, with complex notes of licorice, bacon and black pepper. Distinguished, but not an ager. Now-2011. Alcohol 15.2%. (Mar 2010)"
Producer notes: "89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot. Regal dark purple in hue, our 2010 Merlot offers silky aromas of violets and mountain boysenberry with hints of cinnamon and clove. A firm, structured core promises superb aging, while the wine’s rich, layered flavors and sensuous finish make it hard to resist now. Barrel aged 18 months in French oak (80% new). Alcohol 15.2%."
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