David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.

This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.

Photos all taken around their tasting room on Hwy 29 when their tasting was still the last free tasting in Napa. Still not over the family selling to a corporation that has no wine experience. — 4 months ago

Jonathan Wall

9.2

My ‘Mercian wine for a happy 4th! And these exploded! The cab was very good. Initial nose was big, but the mid palate was thin, even watery. Finish brought it back. Threw it in a decanter and 6 hours later it came together with black currants, chocolate, and just enough oak to backbone without ruining it. Meanwhile we had the ridge Syrah behind it which is my happy place. — 3 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.4

Spearmint. — 4 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.5

Imagine a great Cote Rotie, Cornas, and a Cal Syrah step into a bar. The atmosphere is all French but the ‘Mercian makes it interesting and overblown with too much density. It was spectacular, but if it were a bit more reserved, and didn’t stain my Riedel, it would have been on another level. — 5 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

A late post from several days ago….Washington Cab, from Prosser, Washington, I worked on a freeway interchange there in 1978. The Cab, it’s fantastic — 2 years ago

with TwiLea

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2018 vintage. Dourthe managed this estate for the Japanese owners (Mercian) since 2001 and finally bought it in 2014. The soils are somewhat atypical for the Médoc, with a lot of clay, which explains why Reysson has probably the highest Merlot content (92%) on the left bank. Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. Another great Bordeaux value. Black cherries and very subtle oak. Round and balanced, with the high (abv. 14,5 %) alcohol well-integrated. Soft tannic structure and good length. — 4 years ago

Tooty Frooty

9.2

Vin & Natur.
Maffig oranginovino — 7 months ago

Saphu

9.5

Lovely all around — 2 years ago

Chris Haywood

10

Thank god, success for koshu. Amber, peach, geraniums, and the usual citrus nose. This really makes up for the lack of depth and body in non mac koshu. It's still a light wine but there's an evolution from orange peel, peach, and softer floral flavours into a more chalky citrus finish. Its pretty awesome. We'll done mercian. — 3 years ago

Kirby Elaine

9.0

Very tasty light and not sugary Sauvignon Blanc! — 4 years ago