"Odedi"
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back! Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim. The nose is simpler than I expected right out of the bottle, but beautiful once it opens up. Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with nice complexity. Showing black plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, espresso, earth, light forest floor and black pepper. Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries. This Merlot based blend from Bordeaux is drinking nicely now, and feels young, especially on the nose. Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. I did not decant it and left it in the bottle. I was actually worried that it will die sooner, but it still has a lot in it. Love to see that. Only after 2 hours, the nose opened up and tannins showed up. This 26 years old is easy drinking and good by itself or with food. I had the 2010 vintage, five years ago, and I liked it better this time. Robert Parker 94 points. Paired nicely with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. 13.5% alcohol by volume. 89 points. $100.
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back! Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim. The nose is simpler than I expected right out of the bottle, but beautiful once it opens up. Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with nice complexity. Showing black plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, espresso, earth, light forest floor and black pepper. Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries. This Merlot based blend from Bordeaux is drinking nicely now, and feels young, especially on the nose. Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. I did not decant it and left it in the bottle. I was actually worried that it will die sooner, but it still has a lot in it. Love to see that. Only after 2 hours, the nose opened up and tannins showed up. This 26 years old is easy drinking and good by itself or with food. I had the 2010 vintage, five years ago, and I liked it better this time. Robert Parker 94 points. Paired nicely with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. 13.5% alcohol by volume. 89 points. $100.
8.9Ian Blackburn
Impressive- roasted coffee, mocha, dense cherry skins, vanilla, clay and earth permeate but do not overwhelm this showy right bank 1998 - which continues to gain favor as a vintage with time - 93+ points. Our California palate audience today did prefer the napa merlot but this had its supporters for sure. France vs California by learnaboutwine.com 5.25.14 #delectable #wine
Impressive- roasted coffee, mocha, dense cherry skins, vanilla, clay and earth permeate but do not overwhelm this showy right bank 1998 - which continues to gain favor as a vintage with time - 93+ points. Our California palate audience today did prefer the napa merlot but this had its supporters for sure. France vs California by learnaboutwine.com 5.25.14 #delectable #wine
9.0Peter Kuzma
Opened with a big juicy merlot nose and took on some smoke, gravel, minerality as it aired. Big on the nose, but really kind of medium body, which was a little surprising. Finish is not so long, but really an excellent, fun wine.
Opened with a big juicy merlot nose and took on some smoke, gravel, minerality as it aired. Big on the nose, but really kind of medium body, which was a little surprising. Finish is not so long, but really an excellent, fun wine.
9.2Ron Siegel
Round, rich, full bodied that is drinking well. Needed time to open & reveal dark berry fruits, lots of spice, cedar, leather, tobacco leaf & floral notes
Round, rich, full bodied that is drinking well. Needed time to open & reveal dark berry fruits, lots of spice, cedar, leather, tobacco leaf & floral notes
9.3Ron Siegel
I went large on the 98 right banks & this showed well showing lots of dark fruits, spice box, mocha, dried herbs & tobacco notes.
I went large on the 98 right banks & this showed well showing lots of dark fruits, spice box, mocha, dried herbs & tobacco notes.
9.3Ron Siegel
Seemed a little monolithic & flat on the finish.
Seemed a little monolithic & flat on the finish.
8.8Ron Siegel
Purchased on release showing lots of plummy fruit, cassis with mineral, licorice & spice. Full bodied & fully mature that threw off a lot sediment.
Purchased on release showing lots of plummy fruit, cassis with mineral, licorice & spice. Full bodied & fully mature that threw off a lot sediment.
9.3Cody Short
Surprisingly youthful and really drinking well. Shirt decant and this was ready to serve. Hard to beat 98 right bank
Surprisingly youthful and really drinking well. Shirt decant and this was ready to serve. Hard to beat 98 right bank
9.3Erik Rupinski
Got better and better after a 2 hour decant. Plenty of life left. Loved it.
Got better and better after a 2 hour decant. Plenty of life left. Loved it.
9.5Ryan Abramow
Tasty - lots of cherry and pepper with some dark chocolate. Will taste even better in another 10 years
Tasty - lots of cherry and pepper with some dark chocolate. Will taste even better in another 10 years
9.2Location
WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.