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. — 9 days 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. — 8 months 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. — a year 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. — a month 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 — 10 months 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 — a year 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 — 5 months 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. — 8 months 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. — a year 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. — 2 years ago