Pestoni Family Merlot Estate Reserve Three Tears Vineyard

This continues to drink well at twelve years when most CA Merlots have long since faded into obscurity. Red fruits, delineated structure, and complex notes all still in play. It’s hard to say how much longer this might go, but it very viable and enjoyable currently. I have a few bottles left which I will check on periodically. Drink now, but no rush of imminent fading.

This has really been a very pleasant surprise. A wonderful mix of blue and red fruits, rich mouthfeel, broad complexity with tertiary notes starting to evolve, persistent and nearly integrated structure, strong finish. A Cab drinkers Merlot. Plenty of time left on this.

Purchased this from the Underground Cellar Liquidation. Very hesitant initially given the ten year vintage and unfamiliarity with the producer. Limited CT notes; but at the end of the day, the single vineyard Howell Mountain address convinced me to buy, especially given the longevity of the close by Beringer Bancroft Ranch. Did not decant, but opened 30 minutes prior to enjoying with a grilled, prime Ribeye, mushrooms and air-fried asparagus. Displays a deep ruby color, no signs of bricking. Aromatic …

Some bottle variation but still a stellar Merlot !

Aromatics are profound blueberry blackberry black fruit silky but tannins are there giving it back bone can age 10 years or more but why wait

Howell Mountain Spring Wine Tasting, SF, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the best lots from the Three Tears Vineyard are used,40 cases made, Retail is $150 and worth it, lots of rich fruit on the nose of black cherry, black berry, licorice, briar, and cigar box, same on the palate, big body, slightly fruit forward but yet intensely concentrated fruit, rich, lovely fruit, well balanced, needs 5 years to peak and easily last 20 years, long, …