Montesquieu Derenoncourt Meritage

The wine looks inky colored. The legs are medium. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant (cassis), forest floor, mineral and sandalwood. It tastes like blackberry, black currant (cassis) and strawberry jam. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.

1 hour decant. 60 F. For a light-to-medium bodied wine with age, the intensity of the fruit is surprising. Really wish that the corks on these Montesquieu wines weren't all falling apart. Rich ruby color. Again, an aromatic nose of eucalyptus, smoke, cocoa and big black fruits. No noticeable heat, oak well-integrated, lovely light velvety texture. Pleasant lively acidity. Intense cassis and plum fruit on the palate, dark chocolate notes, hints of vanilla. Long, drying spicy finish.

1 hour decant, served at 65 F or so. (may have benefitted from a slight chill) Age has been good to this wine. Still a rich ruby color. Nose of smoke, menthol and blackberry. Cassis fruit on the palate, which developed some intensity with air, spicy toasted oak notes. Velvety texture, alcohol and lively acidity are well-integrated. Lingering savory finish. Not sure that it will improve with more age, but it still has a few years of life ahead.