Merlot

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.  

Ruby/purple in color.  This is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot,Tannat, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah.  A sort of kitchen sink blend that costs around $15.  It's a nice wine for the money and easy to drink.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is a bit warm with alcohol but also some cherries, black raspberries and slight char.  On the palate, this is mostly cherry fruit.  Easy drinking.  Warm but not hot.  There is some varietal complexity.  Fun label.  Good party wine.  

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.  

Salmon pink in color.  The nose is very nice with watermelon, slight celery note and with air, a bit or rhubarb.  Not under ripe though.  On the palate, there are some slight cherry notes on the attack.  Watermelon on the mid-palate and finishing with some strawberry notes.  Not a ton of acidity but some.  Works fine with lighter foods but make a great refreshing drink on the patio.  There is some complexity here as well.  This is an equal blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz and Mourvedre.  It is dry.  Retails for under $20 making this well priced.  Probably should be drunk by 2020.  

Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, slight chocolate and cedar.  On the palate, this is still not at peak but drinking very well.  Layers of black cherries, cherries, earth and spice.  Nice texture.  Good finish.  This is a nice value for top (not the very top) Bordeaux.  Still some upside for this wine as well as it matures.  Better with food.  There is plenty of fruit though.  

This is always a great value in wine.  Its basically, the ends of the myriad of bottlings that are produced here all blended into one wine.  It costs under $25 and every vintage, though a bit different is tasty.  It also lasts for at least five years probably at least ten.  This one is purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, some chocolate, sour cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Slight depth.  Slight tannins.  Juicy acidity.  Works well with food or on its own.  Long finish.  A crowd pleaser every time.  

A blend of Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Zinfandel, and some other stuff too.  Ruby in color, purple at the rim.  The nose is nice.  Cherries, dark cherries, spice, chocolate and pepper.  Also some leather.  On the palate, there is some varietal complexity.  Not a ton of depth but width.  Easy to drink.  Firm tannins.  Probably better drunk in the next few years to enjoy its vibrancy.  It retails for under $25 and that is a fair price.  This is one of those fruit forward, kitchen sink wines that are popular right now and this competes with them and beats most on price.  Attractive, silk screened l

Pop and pour and consumed over two nights.  Much better on night 2.  I know many people say 2003 was such a warm vintage that the wines are already mature.  That might be true, but this one's best days are still to come.   62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, graphite, cedar, and smoked cigar.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Lush cassis and black cherry fruit layered with forest floor, damp earth and tobacco.  Tightly layered.  Long finish.  This is delicious but very much from Bordeaux a