Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot Knights Valley

Tight upon pop n pour. 30 minutes revealed some nice fruit and softened tannin. Still has good structure. Could age several more years though not sure to what benefit. Solid overall. Drink or hold

Fruit forward nose red fruits, some blueberry, hint of alcohol, mildly tannic, some raspberry and strawberry at the end, nice floral notes as well. Moderate acid, seems well balanced. Drinking nice now.

Nose is sweet and soft - balanced with hints of fruit. Nice fruit with red cherry and strawberry. Tannins threaten the palate but seem to resolve down the homestretch.

Winebar [2 Whts, 8 Reds, & 2 Shared Bottles] from 1/12/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA) : 98% Merlot & 2% C.S.; Aged 17 mos in FR/AM oak (27% new FR oak); 0.05g/100mL R.S., 0.63 g/100mL T.A., & 3.61 pH; 14.5% ABV N: RIPE, poss some vanilla P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt met by puckerish astringency with very, VERY fine tannins which basically continue into the LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish/tannic (though with almost a swtness) finish. Deserves/NEEDS …

Very good, might need more age

Blind CA Wines : Juicy purple color. Cool blackberry and blueberry with some juicy cherry fruit as well. Notes of earth and violets mix with some milk chocolate and cherry wood. Med-full-bodied with some smooth but moderate tannins — a nice tanginess from the acidity. Blueberry, black cherry and plum fruit, which is ripe and juicy but not candied or dense. Floral, potting soil and coffee elements blend nicely with the toast and vanilla. Fan-friendly stuff with broad appeal but …