Merlot

From South Africa, this is a blend of 76% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, chocolate, slight tobacco, a hint of bell pepper and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru along with some cherries and a bit of chocolate.  Some depth.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This will drink nicely on its own but better with food.  Drink over the next three to five years.  It will work well with meatloaf or a burger.  

This is a blend of 53% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot.  It is a delicious wine that is another label different from their Cabernet Sauvignon.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, dark chocolate, cassis, plums, cedar and baking spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some purple fruit over char and spice.  Firm tannins.  Good energy.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well and will probably improve a bit, but either way should drink well for ten to twelve more years.  It drinks well on

A delicious, easy drinking value in California Merlot.  This is a blend of 76% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, menthol, and baking spices.  With air, some black cherries emerge.  Full bodied with a velvety texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with a bit of milk chocolate.  Long, tannic finish.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own, and would work great with a (veggie) burger.  

Forming a little over 10 years ago, Davis Estates turns out excellent wines based in the Napa Valley. Comprised of 100% merlot, this wine offers rich and concentrated fruit, more compote driven with blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry, plum, cocoa powder and a heavy toasting of oak. The oak is a little strong, however it is nonetheless balanced within this wine, having been aged 22 months in 40% new French oak. The results are mild tannins and a rich opulent feel making this extremely enjoyable to drink. 796 cases

This is a Merlot dominant Napa Red proprietary blend from Oak Knoll.  Really an impressive wine.  Inky purple in color with a thin ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight (it is young) but with some air, black cherries, cherries, and milk chocolate emerge.  With a bit more air, there is also cedar, cassis and slight sandalwood and dust.  It took a few hours to full open up without any decanting.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis, plums, over a char and slight tobacco.  Long finish.  This is delicious and has a nice complexity.  If drinking soon, giv

This is a blend of 70% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Malbec.  Pop and pour, this took about an hour and then was drinking quite well.  Purple in color, thin ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The  nose is nice with black cherries, cigar box, slight dark chocolate, a bit of leather.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries and coffee with a bit of dried tobacco.  Good balance.  Seems to be almost or at peak at this point.  Great on its own, this will work well with prime rip or other roasted meats.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

Once again demonstrating how long the 2005's are taking to come around.  Pop and pour (for logistic reasons), this was just starting to open at the two hour mark.  Still, a great showing though.