Tasting Notes: Weekly Roundup

Happy Friday! Before we celebrate the coming weekend, we want to look back on drinks the Delectable community enjoyed and consumed this week. We've gathered a handful of reviews and notes that caught our eye. From detailed notes to standout photos, the Delectable community was busy this week, and there are so many great posts to read. Mark your favorites and pick up a bottle to try this weekend. Cheers!

Swanson Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2018

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Strong nose of blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light alcohol, vanilla, spices and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, oak, tobacco, licorice, earth, coffee, dark chocolates, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with grippy tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Napa Merlot. Still young but already enjoyable even by itself. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and gets better with airtime. I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter.

Still young and would be better in a few years.

I had the 2012 a few years ago, but did not enjoy it as much. Glad to see that this vintage is delicious.

A blend of Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aged for 17 months in French and American oak barrels.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$35.
— 2 years ago

Ted, Hermes and 21 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Wow...haven't seen the Swanson stuff in quite some time. It was usually pretty solid.
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

I definitely enjoyed it @Scott Rose

Azienda Agricola Elvio Cogno

Bordini Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2016

Deep ruby leaning garnet. Luscious red cherries, cedar, new leather, a hint of wood. Medium plus bodied. Medium plus tannins. Medium plus alcohol. This baby and going for decades. It's absolutely beautiful now. Finish is long and supple.

93+ points
— 2 years ago

Ted, Anthony and 6 others liked this

Whitehaven

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020

I always liked Whitehaven NZ SB. Another great vintage, totally consistent with previous. I use this Sauvignon Blanc for my signature left over Thanksgiving dish - Turkey pot pie - and drink half the bottle while making it. 😎 — 2 years ago

Dawn, Daniel P. and 2 others liked this

Dominio de Pingus

PSI Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2018

Intense sundrenched dark berried fruit with a lovely fresh energy, blackberries, blueberries, cassis. dark cherries and peppermint. Very integrated oak profile with a gentle touch of vanilla and sweet tobacco followed by a underlying stony minerality.
Dry palate with a medium + acidity, high tannins with a fine grained qualititave texture, well integrated alcohol in a full body that is balanced by a fresh acidity. Nuanced palate with a good complexity and characters of ripe dark berried fruit, vanilla and sweet licorice that evolves through a solid lenght that falls a bit short from the major league.
— 2 years ago

Ira, Andrew and 13 others liked this

Alphonse Mellot

La Moussière Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Smells of melon with mango and cream (maybe an orange creamsicle). I could smell this all day. Some faint hints of lemon follows at the end. Hit with a sweet fruit taste initially quickly followed by a lemon sourness that lingers along with a cloying cream-like taste. Really nice acid. Had with salmon which went perfectly. — 2 years ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

this is rocking right now...

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

This is sorcery. So resolved so harmonious. I would have called Bordeaux blind. — 2 years ago

Ericsson liked this

Dom Pérignon

P2 Brut Champagne Blend 2000

Triaged in 2000, disgorged in 2016, and aged three more years in the bottle. Tremendous aroma, very nutty character in the palate. Tasty — 2 years ago

Alex Bardașu
with Alex
Paul, Josh and 11 others liked this
Stephen Mathews

Stephen Mathews Influencer Badge

Whaaaaaat!!!

Domaine de l'Ecu (Guy Bossard)

Ange Pinot Noir 2016

Has a hint of green pepper on the nose.

Plate has a bit of spritz. Licorice. Cherry. Well made for sure. Very distinctive. As it opens, less spritz and more sweet cherry. Some nice distinctive deliciousness.

And so cool.

Bought from fass selections.
— 2 years ago

Josh, Andrew and 8 others liked this

Fanti

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2016

Delicious. Heavier but not heavy. Some smoke and earthiness. Wonderful with food. Was a treat for dinner at ‘Tine’s new place. — 2 years ago

Alex, Martin and 4 others liked this