Clos de Gat Merlot Sycra Judean Hills

Aromatically this is very nice, lots of blackberry and cedar, but also a bit of green pepper. On the palate, however, it's clear that this has seen more new oak than it could ever handle. Simply killed by oak. Shame.

Full body, deep ruby color. Intense fruity and spicy wood aroma. Fresh plums, and black cherry palate, long finish, Rich and powerful, bold, complex, balanced, nice acidity, well integrated tannins. Serve 18º - 22º. Open one hour in advance. Drink now.

Starts off showing a heartsinking over-the-top nose of sweet chocolate, jammy fruit, and other badges of oak abuse, but within 15 minutes it composes itself - a little cocoa remains on the nose and inflects the palate but the fruit is otherwise almost classic, mild blackberry flavor with some real muscle to the tannin. Put it in a blind tasting of Right Bank Bordeaux and it wouldn't exactly distinguish itself, but it wouldn't stand out as a ringer either. One …