Happy Saturday! I've been running errands today as well as completing some repair projects around the house before heading off to some dinner with friends. But before I go, I must review a wine sine this is Cellar Saturday, that magical first Saturday of a new month where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making. Tonight I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in the cellar long, but still qualifies. The 2011 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Napa Valley Block 16 Restoration Merlot is a wine I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, and is an interesting wine, partly because a portion of the proceeds from the wine were donated to help restore wetlands in the Sacramento Valley. So, let's see how this wine is tasting after more than a decade!
The wine is a lovely, warm ruby color in the glass with nice clarity. A gentle swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, toasted oak, black raspberry and baking spice. The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit that encases your palate with velvety sweetness before transitioning to some earthy peat and vanilla bean midpalate. The tannins are nicely integrated and still vibrant, providing a solid platform for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classically built Merlot with many of the age worthy characteristics you might find in Bordeaux. This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from hearty pasta to big grilled steaks, barbecue to crispy skin salmon, but tonight I am just sipping this one until we head to the Mexican restaurant for a new food adventure. Cheers!
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