Central Valley Merlot

Masseto

Toscana Merlot 2022

Masseto 2022
· First impression & decanting: It was my first time trying Masseto. Since it’s a young wine, I put half the bottle into a decanter and kept the other half for the next day. It only started to open up after about an hour of decanting, showing dark fruit aromas.
· Second-day explosion: On the second day, the aroma fully opened up. I poured just a little into the glass, and the aroma instantly filled the entire bowl. Intense blackberry and plum, with hints of tobacco and cocoa.
· Palate: Tannins are velvety smooth; full-bodied, with good acidity and plenty of power.
· Summary: A very classic top-tier “Super Tuscan.” In its youth it is very tight and needs a lot of patience with decanting or further aging. But once fully open, it is absolutely stunning.

Gaja Gaia & Rey 2022
· Aroma: Fresh citrus, white peach, and pear, with light oak-derived notes of toast, vanilla, and minerality.
· Palate: Round and full-bodied, with a distinct creamy texture, bright acidity, and a clean, mineral finish.
· Summary: A very elegant top Italian Chardonnay. Excellent balance—it retains fresh fruit while showing the complexity of oak aging. Drinking perfectly now.

One-line summary: One red, one white; one powerful, one elegant—a fantastic pairing!
— 4 days ago

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

Garnet with transparency. Complexity including earthy fig leather forest floor. Fruits still can be found. Aged matured berry and cherry. Completed!!Fruitiness M Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M Bitterness M Body M+ Finish M %
Elegant Balanced Château Montrose Saint Estephe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 05 @1430/G, T Enoteca, 260925
— 6 days ago

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

KA
9.2

The Eighty Six NYC — 22 days ago

Rick, David and 7 others liked this

Sea Smoke

Southing Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

delicious biodynamic Sta Rita pinot. tons of salinity and characteristic terroir. — a month ago

Château Lascombes

Margaux Merlot Blend 2016

2016 vintage. A decade has allowed this to blossom a bit. Revealing super-subtle complexities now that frequently get lost in appraisals as they posit as fleeting impressions versus unimpeachable, primary truths. Medium body. 8.12.26. — 2 months ago

Doug, Bob and 17 others liked this

Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2023

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, light cedar, black tea, tobacco leaf, spices and light chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Merlot from Napa Valley is still very young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and tangy. Showing nice complexity already, tangy and interesting.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 93+ point wine.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 15 months in (40% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45.
— a month ago

Karyn, Paul and 14 others liked this

Gaja

Ca'Marcanda Promis Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2023

Ted
9.1

Haven’t had this is a minute. Ripe black cherry fruit. Soft and easy to drink. — 8 days ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Sharon, Tom and 7 others liked this

Saxum Vineyards

Broken Stones Red Rhone Blend 2019

2019 vintage. Needed time to breathe. Then it sang. — 17 days ago

David liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2021

Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Cabernet Franc (29%) and Merlot (13%). Dark ruby color. Aromas of red and black fruit, anise,purple flowers and leather. Flavors of black cherry/plum/berry fruit, black licorice, cocoa powder and sweet baking spices. Lovely mineral and minty tones on the long and lingering finish. Silky tannins and a velvety texture. Loaded with finesse and wonderful freshness. Enjoyed with Petey and Kase (Thanks Guys) on the beach in Cape May, NJ. — 21 days ago

Joel, Tom and 4 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — a month ago

Juan, Jeroen and 11 others liked this

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, plum and caramel. Red and black fruit on the palate, vanilla and oak finish.

🏅91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
— 3 days ago

Joel, Tom and 12 others liked this

Emmolo Winery

Napa Valley Merlot

Blackberry, Spicy but with some sweetness. Bought at Enoteca for ¥7,225. — 24 days ago

Dave liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Ming L
9.2

The house style is still here with ripe, slightly over extracted blue fruits, baking spices, cocoa, and a plush velvety palate. But the fruits become less confectionary and some savory components have emerged. Acidity seems more apparent. Really nice integration.

I think Pinot bottlings from Belle Glos are at their best with 5-8 years bottle aging. This is another proof.
— a month ago

Joel, Tom and 1 other liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

3L. Textbook Pauillac. Proper yet lifeless - at Chris & Mary’s — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister, jesus and 5 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Rob N
9.5

Excellent structured cab. 99 pts RP. $425 @ Olympic Club Lakeside! A little young, still tannic, opened up well.
— 5 days ago

Joe, Jay and 1 other liked this

Daou Vineyards

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s National Red Wine Day! Let me see your wine! — a month ago

Tom, Ted and 5 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Sharon B I didn't know, but I just posted! Cheers 🍷