MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

A very nice red wine probably one of the better table wines I’ve had from France. I wasn’t completely convinced about the blend of Syrah and Merlot but this Wine manages to blend two together very well. You definitely get a lot of the #syrah notes on the nose, the perfume and then the #Merlot kind of rounds out the pallet and makes the tannins a little bit softer. It’s a nice wine. It’s very drinkable and good and have a good presentation so very recommendable. — 12 days ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

You’ll definitely want to decant this wine. Well over an hour after opening in the glass the initial dusty #bordeaux muted fruit wakes up fully, very youthful bramble fruit, purple jam on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity and generally soft tannins from the Merlot dominant blend with some more assertive tannins on the finish. 68% #merlot, 17% #cabernetsauvignon, 13% #petitverdot, 2% #cabernetfranc - clearly I got the impression this wine could easily cruise for another 5 years in the bottle. Excellent #costcowines value. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Enjoyable prosaic #cabernet #merlot (55% / 45%) blend. Cassis, black/purple fruit pretty prominent on the nose, some earthy notes as it opens up. Good acidity on palate, nice concentration of rich fruit from the merlot with earth and tannins from the cab - pretty good QPR on this one. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Such a crushable #priorat - bramble fruit, warming spiced plum compote, wet stone nose. 45% #carignan; 45% #grenache; 10% #merlot with 9 months in French Oak. Delicious balanced palate with a beam of dark fruit, bright frame and rounded tannins on the finish. After a week in the wine fridge with a vacuum cork, the last glass only had a whiff of raisiny notes which speaks to a wine with longevity. Exceedingly strong QPR #costcowine. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.3

Lovely #cabernetsauvignon with a pinch of #merlot that is aging beautifully. #somontano — 3 years ago

Mary H

8.8

Swiss #merlot. Strawberries, strawberry tart, medium tannin — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Gratifying Oak Knoll #napavalley #merlot - medium plus body, calibrated acidity, some vanilla and toasty oak notes so it’s pretty young but well executed Merlot. My hot take - Merlot at the $50 retail mark will outperform Cabs at this price point. — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.4

No 2020 🔥 concerns with this acclaimed #threepalmsvineyard #merlot. A “relative” value for a 1.5L at a typically costly steakhouse wine list. Supremely elegant, didn’t have much time to properly taste at a customer dinner a fantastic wine with gossamer tannins. Beautiful pairing with a nicely cooked filet mignon. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

#secondwine of #stemiliongrandcru first growth Château Chauvin. Absolutely an excellent wine for the price. 95% #merlot 5% #cabernetfranc , understated cassis and purple plum nose, medium plus body on the palate, pretty soft fruit balanced by bright acidity, some mineral undertones and soft tannins after 8 years of bottle age. — 2 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.3

Incredible #merlot from #spain One of the best of this varietal I’ve had from Spain. — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

It’s great to see the historic and influential Robert Mondavi Winery return to excellence. Napa Bordeaux blend with 85% #cabernetsauvignon 6% #cabernetfranc 6% #petitverdot 2% #malbec 1% #merlot. This wine shines with generous decanting. Elegant, memorable ripe bramble fruit and black plum, sweet baking spices on the nose. Juicy tartness underlays a bold wave of fruit on the palate with silken tannins on the finish. I definitely plan on laying down my other bottle for at least half a decade. #oakville — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Aroma speaks to that distinct #toscana wild-cherry, earthy-forest floor thing with a hint of spice. Palate presents with slightly syrupy sweet & sour cherry fruit, sweet tobacco and a spicy finish. 60% #sangiovese 20% #merlot 20% #cabernetsauvignon - nicely balanced, quaffable Super Tuscan blend. — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

First-rate QPR #cahors #malbec #merlot (70%/30%) blend. Nose considerably fruitier than the previous vintages I’ve found at #costco which were 100% Malbec. The merlot brings ripe bramble fruit on the nose followed by earthy undertones. Succulent acidity on the palate right up front, black berries following with some dark chocolate, forest floor, leather notes. Hearty tannins linger on the finish and build with each sip. QPR is way up there for under $9. — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

I’m not a fan of Wagner wines but on a limited list this #napavalley #merlot was passable. Prominent black/purple fruit, bit of vanilla from new oak, soft tannins to finish. — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Delicious #carneros Bordeaux-style blend. Big bramble fruit, leather and spice nose, drinks lighter on the palate than the 14.8% ABV and 80% new French oak would suggest; the whole package is well integrated from a difficult fire vintage, lovely spice on the finish. 84% #merlot, 13% #cabernetsauvignon, 3% #cabernetfranc — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Blackberry, plum, elegantly earthy slightly spicy nose. Great acidity up front to offset that rich fruit, distinctly #sicilianerosso graceful fruit and refined tannins to finish. One mark of a fine wine is imprinting a terroir onto an international varietal like #merlot — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Ramey’s interpretation of #claret is quite interesting. After 9 years of bottle time it’s aged more than expected. Stewed plum, quite faint dark fruit on the nose. Prominent acidity on palate, primary fruit exited stage left, some sherry notes but still noticeable tannins. 68% #cabernetsauvignon, 18% #merlot, 6% #syrah, 4% #malbec, 4% #petitverdot — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Delightfully unexpected savory aged #merlot from #columbiavalley . 8 years of bottle age uncorked reveal a decidedly meaty earthy wine that I would expect from Right Bank of Bordeaux. Cured meat, graphite, black pepper, muted purple fruit on the nose. Lighter acidity on palate entry, muted fruit, peppery spice and grippy tannins on the finish. Interesting boutique Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot from a big Washington producer. — 3 years ago

Todd Scurci

9.0

#merlot — 3 years ago

with Annie

David Kline

9.0

Chalky grape and balsa, blackberry, and plum nose with soft smoke and jasmine with a sweet petrol gloss. Soft mouthfeel turns bing cherry and underripe blueberries bordering green. Chewy. Big fruit tannins. A spicy pepper that always turns piquant-fruit. Young in every way, would love to see this chrysalis emerge.


#lajotavineyardco #laJotahowellmountainestate #lajota #howellmountain #merlot #napa #napavalley — 3 years ago