Merlot

When you own a wine cellar, every so often you lose a bottle only to rediscover it a few years later.  Sometimes it is over the hill by then, but you never know.  This one was one of those.  Abondante is a blend of leftovers at Sineann.  It is a great value and usually, they are consumed in a year or two.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is leather with good dark cherry fruit.  A bit of spice.  On the palate, this is tart red berries.  Cherries mostly but something a bit deeper.  Slight tannins.  Good finish.  There is some complexity there but not a ton.  Very food friendly.  T

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with slight aquarium notes.  Also some cherries and black cherries.  On the palate, there is a lot of heat and it seems disjointed.  Tart cherries but brown sugar.  Alcohol on the finish.  Again, this appears to be a poorly stored bottled, but how to know for sure or where the issue is.  Drinkable for sure, but doesn't work with food at this point.  Hopefully, this bottle was not representative.  

70% Malbec, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot.  From the family that owns Leoville Poyferre in Bordeaux.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is warm and slightly musty (not in an off way).  Also has some cassis and plums.  On the palate, this drinks like a Bordeaux; fruit, tobacco and earth.  Black raspberries and plums.  Slight tannins.  It has a nice depth and seems to be closing in on maturity.  A bit soft but within reason.  Would work with roasted or grilled meats quite well.  No hurry, but won't get better and probably should be drunk in the next five years.  

This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and a little Syrah from three different vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA or Washington state.  At 12 years from vintage it seems to be in a great spot although it should have at least 5 more years before starting to slowly go downhill.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, coffee, leather, slight chocolate, cassis and tobacco.  On the palate, this is still fresh with lot of fruit; cherries and black raspberries.  Layers of fruit, damp earth and tobacco.  Nice finish.  This is not a big wine, but not shy either.  Wo

This is a blend of a whole bunch of leftover grapes.  At $20, this is always a great value but especially so in the better vintages like 2015.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Good acidity.  Easy drinking with some depth and varietal complexity.  Good finish.  Very food friendly.  It now comes as a screw cap which is nice.  

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with tart bing cherries.  On the palate, the tart cherries continue along with some plums.  This has some depth to it.  Light tannins.  Drinks easily with nice acidity.  This will work with a wide variety of foods.  It does have the slightest bit of sweetness to it.  Enough to notice, but not enough that is an issue one way or another.  Retails for around $16 or less.  Made from organic grapes.  

From the venerable Chateau Haut Brion, this is an inexpensive rose.  A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  Light salmon in color.  Strawberries on the nose.  The palate is clean with "red berries", mostly strawberries.  This is easy and drinks well.  Perhaps not the energy or brightness it had last year, so these should probably be drunk sooner than later.  Works well with food.  

This is one of my favorite wines from Pomerol.  They have gotten crazy expensive over the years and this was probably the last reasonably priced vintage.  2002 was not a great vintage.  What is good about it though is that the wines drank well in the short term and were evenly good if not great.  This bottle is at peak right now or maybe just shy.  It will probably stay there for another few years, so if you own any, be thankful and drink up.  It won't get better and depending on the bottle, may start to fade.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, chocolate, slight spice and a bit

This is 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot from southwest France.  Purple in color, ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with plums.  Some cherries come out later.  On the palate, this is a bit reticent.  Some cherries.  Firm tannins.  This could use a few years of cellaring.  Good acidity. Would work well with food especially heavier dishes.  

39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 14% Malbec and 9% Petit Verdot.  This is a Bordeaux styled wine from South Africa.  It sells for under $20 making it a very nice buy.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is very nice; dusty and complex with cassis, tobacco, some bell pepper.  On the palate, this has a chewy texture.  Nice complexity.  Cassis, dark cherries with enough acid.  Good finish.  Drinking well now and won't get better but should hold for another five years at least.