I unabashedly love a good California Merlot. The problem is, it's often hard to find a good one given Merlot's bad rap and tendency towards flabby overoaked plonk. So when I find a good one I feel like shouting from the rooftops. This is one such Merlot.The bottle was a 2003 Raymond Reserve Merlot from Napa. It clocked in at 14.3% alcohol by volume, had a real cork closure, and was a gift from my Dad. My first thought on the wine was that it needed time to air, but after that it opened up into a really beautiful bottle of wine.
On the nose I found plum, blackberries, black pepper, chocolate, red cherry, and raspberries. It was a gorgeous combination of red and black fruit topped with chocolate. In the mouth I got more red fruit, cherries, raspberries, and then some plums and blackberries. The cherry was quite tart, like a fresh cherry pie.
The wine had plenty of structure and backbone to spare, I could easily see it holding up for many more years if you want to stash it away. It's a wonderful wine, especially at a price of what looks to be around $20.
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Merlot gets a bad rap. Most, as you note, is "flabby overoaked plonk." Add the (ultimately ironic) "I'm not drinking any f**ing merlot" line from Sideways, and I wonder if we'll be able to find a decent one on the shelves in five years.
6/9/08, 3:39 PM
I sure hope we'll be able to find them. It can be such an excellent wine when it's treated properly.
6/10/08, 6:52 AM
We received a case of this for our wedding. Scott's aunt is in sales/marketing on the East coast, for Raymond. (We even went to the Raymond employee picnic in Napa a couple summers ago and met the Raymond brothers.) This one has a special place in our cellar. :)
Cheers!
6/10/08, 7:48 PM
Lucky you Mo! This one should be great for years to come!
6/29/08, 7:14 PM