Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
90
/100
Reviews
20
professional
Vintages
1
2006
Other
90/100
Merlot
NV
Community Reviews
2020
Reviews
90.2
Avg Score
92
Highest
Taster #2551
· Nov 28, 2016
92/100
Really great now. Wish I had waited on the other bottles. If you have it in the cellar, it's ready.
2006 vintage
Taster #9264
· Jan 24, 2016
91/100
This is not your usual merlot. Strong fruit with blueberry, vanilla and spice. Big flavors and a little overextracted. However, with some age everything had integrated better since my last bottle. You could almost mistake it for a syrah. This had smoothed out considerably since my last bottle a couple of years ago. Not typically my style for a merlot, but worked great with a black bean chili during the snow storm. Would buy again. This is at its peak …
2006 vintage
Taster #8603
· May 8, 2014
92/100
When I tasted this wine a few years ago I thought the tannins were overwhelming, but there was a richness to the fruit. Now, the profile has softened. The palate features blackberry, mocha and a hint of leather. Both the color and palate have waned a bit in opacity. The once overwhelming tannins now remain firm, but give the wine a tautness and structure that sets off the fruit beautifully. I think this wine is at or just past its …
2006 vintage
Taster #3845
· Dec 13, 2013
88/100
Deep ruby with brick colored edges. Aromatic nose of figs and chocolate covered cherries, red fruits and vanilla on the palate give way to supple tannins and a balanced wine. Rich mouthfeel.
2006 vintage
Taster #5395
· Dec 4, 2013
91/100
Very concentrated red fruit with notes of raspberry, chocolate with soft tannins. Surprisingly rich for a merlot, resembles a cab franc.
2006 vintage
Taster #9264
· Mar 10, 2013
89/100
Very strong fruit for a merlot - almost like having a concentrated mountain fruit. They get some of their fruit from Betty O'Shaughnessy on Howell Mountain, but this is supposed to be from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. This is a big wine for a merlot. I believe this vintage was made in 100% new oak, so may be part of what is driving the intensity. Sweet cherries, vanilla and some mild spice. Strong tannins - especially for a merlot …
2006 vintage
Taster #8180
· Oct 8, 2012
89/100
Drinking very well right now. Oak, cherry, and vanilla seem to have integrated together nicely. Great merlot for this price point.
2006 vintage
Taster #2551
· Dec 26, 2011
91/100
Christmas Eve with the family...perfectly balanced, fruit forward bottle.
2006 vintage
Taster #0292
· Feb 18, 2011
89/100
As others said, very fruity and de-lish. Well balanced.
2006 vintage
Taster #8567
· Oct 31, 2010
90/100
lovely fruit-bomb w/ medium finish. The tannins and oak have integrated nicely and the ine is at its peak, but I'd probably not hold this too much longer. This a great value for anyone who's fond of this style of a BIG California Merlot.
2006 vintage
Taster #4442
· Apr 29, 2010
89/100
Good, rather big, Merlot. Popped and poured at a restaurant, and the wine probably could have used an hour of decant. Over all, though, quite delicious, if a bit on the fruit bomb side of the spectrum.
2006 vintage
Taster #5422
· Apr 26, 2010
92/100
Fantastic QPR
2006 vintage
Taster #9746
· Apr 10, 2010
88/100
Super super ripe, and without a lot of character, but packs an aweful lot of fruit into a sub-$20 wine, if you like that style.
2006 vintage
Taster #5422
· Mar 18, 2010
92/100
Fantastic Sonoma Merlot, this stands up well to much more expensive wines. I am impressed.
2006 vintage
Taster #3127
· Sep 30, 2009
90/100
50+5+11+16+7 More to follow A fun wine with a nice, albeit different nose form many other merlots. Big, fruity, but with layers of flavor that I don't expect in wine at this pricepoint. The nose and palate are a bit hot, but not annoyingly so. The finish is moderately long and tannic. I think that this is a wonderful QPR. I'll be looking to buy this.
2006 vintage
Taster #0837
· Sep 6, 2009
91/100
The nicest red opened today, in terms of same day consumption. Compex, layered. I thought this concealed the alcohol well, especially when compared to the 2007 Cline Live Oak Zin also opened. Fell apart quite a bit the second day.
2006 vintage
Taster #2197
· Jul 28, 2009
90/100
a big wine
2006 vintage
Taster #2844
· Jul 14, 2009
85/100
Enjoyed this more when we tried it at the winery. The high alcohol level was noticeable and not a good thing.
2006 vintage
Taster #7915
· Jun 23, 2009
92/100
Loaded with blackberries, espresso bean, anise, mint leaf, and toasted oak. The 15.6 alcohol packs a nice punch but stays in balance. A great value for around $20 if you are looking for an alternitive for expensive cali cabs.
2006 vintage
Taster #5395
· Jun 22, 2009
92/100
Notes of raspberry, candied cherry, mocha with nice finish. A nice merlot.
2006 vintage