Cattail Creek Family Estate Winery Merlot Reserve

This award winner has proved to have no legs at all (meaning longevity) - tarry and blah it lacked aroma, was flat and sour the longer it stayed open - horrible ... 10 years was too much and too long for it.

Nose has subtle hints of blueberry, cassis and wood smoke, while the palate has developed more oaky and spicy character with the backing of smoked-blackberry, cassis, bittersweet chocolate and a mid-length coffee finish. I'd dive into the cellar and pull your remaining bottles and start drinking this one before the wood takes over and the fruit disappears.