2001 Paloma Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

This is a former Wine Spectator Wine of the Year. It was nice to revisit this wine. It seems to be at peak and drinking as good as it will get. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cherries, spice, chocolate and dried cherries. On the palate, this is full bodied with a lush texture. Just a wisp of tannins. Layers of chocolate covered cherries and slight earth. Long finish. Food friendly. Certainly one of the best California Merlot's I have had. Even Miles from Sideways would like it. It still has five to ten years, at least, left if well stored.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2001

2003 Paloma Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Spring Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2003

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$25.00USD

Time has been quite kind to this wine. On release, this was a bit disappointing after the stellar 2001 and 2002's. At age 16, however, it has put on weight, aged slowly and is a terrific Merlot. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has milk chocolate, cherries and just a bit of raspberry. On the palate, this has nice layering of fruit and earth. Tannins are all resolved. Easy drinking. Good finish. This won't get better and should be drunk in the next few years. It will go well with roasts and casseroles of all types.

2016 Flora Springs Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$29.99USD

Despite what you may think, Sideways didn't kill the California Merlot market as much as it made Pinot Noir stylish. There are still some fine Merlots being made. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has a nice chocolate covered cherry quality to it. Some spice as well. On the palate, this takes about thirty minutes of air to open and then drinks very well. It is more expressive (right now) on the palate with milk chocolate covered cherries and a nice vanilla streak. Not candied as much as liqueur notes. Good balance. Nice finish. This drinks very well on its own and would b

2001 Charles Krug Winery (Peter Mondavi Family) Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2001

Score:

Grade:

Of course, this bottle should have been consumed long ago, but it happens. This acquitted itself very well, all things considered. Deep ruby in color, some browning but not much at the rim. The nose is dusty, earthy with some dried and macerated cherries. On the palate, this has some layering going on, fresh cherries, dried cherries and forest floor notes. Tannins are all resolved. A bit tart. Good finish. This improved a bit with food. I worked well with a vegetarian bean cassoulet. These should be drunk up.

2016 Plumpjack Merlot Napa Valley, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$70.00USD

This is an exceptional California Merlot. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cherries, slight plums, chocolate, cedar and spice. Full bodied. On the palate, cherries, milk chocolate, smoke and spice. Medium tannins. Still very primary, this should continue to mature for the next five to ten years and be good for another ten after that. Drinks great on its own, it would work well with a burger or roast.

2021 Oberon Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$28.00USD

Oberon is part of the Michael Mondavi family of wines. This wine was quite good and very interesting. It is of course, mostly Merlot (sourced in Oakville) but there is an undisclosed amount of Zinfandel and Syrah in the wine which seems to give it a bit more structure and likely a bit of acidity as well. The people at Oberon feel it adds more lushness. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice and chocolate. Full bodied. Light to medium tannins. On the palate, this is delicious. Flavors of black cherries, milk

2001 Paloma Merlot, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

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