Geyser Peak Reserve Alexandre Meritage

Wedding gift from a very good friend - what a treat! On the nose, stewed blackberries dominated the upfront nose but does give way to a medley of tobacco, smoky birch, and thyme. On the palate the fruit leaned a bit more red with more notes of red currant and a blend of black/red cherries (as opposed to the darker fruit on the noise). Some bell pepper, oak, clove and white pepper really rounded things out and honestly this just …

Cooked almost dry fruit. Wet wool, forest floor after rain. Very light taste of smoked meat (belly fat). High acid, medium - tannin, medium alcohol. You need to decant this wine

This bottle was showing beautifully. Must have been perfectly cellared. The cork was perfect.

Drinking remarkably well. Dark fruit, subtle oak, oxidation blows off with some air. Medium to full body. Surprising tannins on the gripping finish. Not going to improve, but seems to be able to go another few years...after a few hours the tannins disappear, ultra smooth finish. The oxidation does come back a bit.

Amazing smokiness on first opening, as if you had crossed an Islay single-malt Scotch and a cabernet. That dissipated as the wine got some air. Settled into a nice sour cherry, modest tannins. Probably will not get better with further age so drink up if you have it.

Wow! This showed soooo well! A smokey nose and delicious dark fruit. It was all you could have asked for and seems to be right at its peak. Wish I had a dozen rather than just this one!