22 Pirates

Long Shadows Vintners

Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2016

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!


Dark Inky in color with a reddish/ purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, light dried fruits, cedar, light vanilla, herbs, licorice, spices, dark chocolates and light cola notes.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black cherries, black currants, bitter herbs, earth, chocolates, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a wonderful Merlot from Columbia Valley. Soft and fruit forward. Rich and nicely balanced.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of air time.

This 8 year old Merlot is complex and spicy. Really enjoyed the nose at this point, and the high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Easy drinking and a good sipping wine. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

I had this vintage a few times before, and it is always delicious. I just love Michel Rolland wines.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (85% new).

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75.
— 19 days ago

Dawn, Jose and 14 others liked this

Philippe Alliet

Chinon Cabernet Franc

Much smoother than in 2021 when first had the 2018 vintage. It’s thrown a lot of sediment. $22. — a year ago

Red Car

Cuvee 22 Sonoma County Syrah

D&A in Tahoe. Lovely local syrah — 9 months ago

Jacques Selosse

Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

(Disg. 10/22) Initial is the most produced in quantity of the Selosse bottlings but certainly not to be overlooked, and 2022 disgorgment is electric with distinctive Selossien aromatics, a rich, powerful and textural palate with racy acids and a chalky mineral core. It has both freshness and oxidative complexity yielding a complete, balanced and utterly seamless Champagne. Nothing like Selosse. — 10 months ago

Severn, Shay and 3 others liked this

Château Saint-Pierre

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

2012 vintage. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. An excellent effort in a largely forgotten vintage. Cassis, blackberries, cedar, and Pauillac-like lead pencil. — a year ago

Peter, Ruud and 6 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

2014 vintage. Already rocking and a-rolling splishing and a-splashing. No one does silk and gossamer elegance better. Only getting better in the near term and far beyond. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc and 6% Petite Verdot. Always a top fave. — 3 years ago

Aaron, Ted and 14 others liked this

Hendry

Blocks 7 & 22 Napa Valley Zinfandel 2018

Just enough fruit and full body, not overwhelming like many zins. — 9 months ago

Château Fleur Cardinale

Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Ken Z
9.3

Drank 12 /7/23.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Scents of plum, blackberry, currant, and chocolate. Flavors are similar, with blackberry, plum sauce, and soil. Tannins are still firm, but, well integrated and mix with black fruits on the long finish. This one goes on for over a minute. Drinking well now, but showing no signs of slowing down. This should last another 10 plus years, but is in a nice place now.

4/22/8/4/5 +50 = 93 pts.

Great with a NY strip, but even better with the balsamic glaze that complimented it. This pairs wonderfully with sweet dark fruit flavors.
— a year ago

Shay, Severn and 12 others liked this

Château Dalem

Fronsac Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015

Ken Z
9.3

Drank 6/27/23

Excellent with lamb kebabs

Scent of plum, blackberry, and peppercorn. Blackfruit flavors dominate the palate, with plum sauce, blackberry, and cocoa backed by firm, but ripe tannin, which is well integrated. Long finish.

4/22/8/5/4 + 50 = 93 pts.

This is great now, right out of the bottle.
— a year ago

Ken, Tom and 6 others liked this