The wine is a lighter garnet color with a good bit of amber, reflective of some age. The nose presents aromas of prune, raspberry hints of charcoal and just a bit of lilac. The first sip is a surprising rush of fruit, blackberry, cassis and tart cherry that transition to some notes of baking spice and forest floor midpalate. The nose had me expecting a wine that was well past it's prime, but the taste reflects a youthful vibrancy that has really stood the test of time. The tannins are still well structured, providing an ideal backbone for a smooth, dry finish that likely has many years to go.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's always good to see a quality Merlot that can stand the test of time. This wine would pair well with a range of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb, mushroom risotto to thick steaks, but tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pappardelle Bolognese, made over six hours to coax as much flavor as possible into the hearty ragu. Cheers!
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