Callaway Vineyard & Winery Merlot Cellar Selection Series

Followed for about an hour open with no noticeable change in character. Light ruby color that looks like Pinot Noir. Simple and hollow nose of candy, cola, and pepper. Light and watery palate with obvious oak chips, very little tannin, and a splash of acidity. Short and weak with red gummy bear as the main takeaway. 3+7+6+4 = 70

This has gone missing - presume we used it for cooking and drinking. No rating since don't remember this bottle, though it was probably about like the other in my cellar.

I remember when there used to be a Callaway Winery in Temecula, when they actually made wine there. This one comes from Manteca, along with who knows how many other labels. It has some merit. Though not deeply structured, you can tell it has a Cabernet pedigree by the mouth feel and viscosity. It is still pretty simple. The color is light ruby, almost magenta. The nose, though light, has aromas of roses and berries. The entry of the fruit …

A good everyday drinker. Red cherries predominate on the nose and palate. Smooth, but relatively simple. Drank half the bottle - used the other half to cook a pot roast.

A candy nose with a good deal of leaf. The wine itself is a lot of fun. It's sweet without having that cloying, astringent sugar rush-tinge. Really quite pleasant, gushy, full and bright. It skates right down your mouth, being very vibrant all along the way. One tone, but it's a well rounded one. Worthy.

Bitter cab with hints of cherry dust. $12.99 to $5.99 OH retail www.austinbeeman.com

Needs a LONG time to decant. Drinks like an $8 bottle at it's best, 2buck Chuck at opening. I'd skip it even if it is on the 5cent sale at BevMo. We gave our other bottle away.