Ehlers Estate, Merlot, St. Helena
Ehlers Estate · California › St. Helena › United States of America
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
90
/100
Reviews
23
professional
Vintages
No vintages
NV
Community Reviews
2323
Reviews
90.5
Avg Score
96
Highest
Taster #6516
· Jun 15, 2020
92/100
This vintage is very Bordeaux like on the nose and palate. Aromas of cherry, tobacco, clay, cedar, baking spice. The palate is fresh blackberry, olive, unsmoked cigar. Good tannins and acid right now. Much different than more recent vintages I’ve had.
2010 vintage
Taster #1766
· Dec 8, 2017
96/100
Outstanding wine, huge and rich like Swiss milk chocolate! I was fully expecting this wine to be DOA after 12 years, but it was truly at its peak. Tasted with coworkers at two wine shops, and everyone agreed, one of the best wines we’ve tasted this year. Stored properly, this wine still has amazing characteristics, with no signs of muting. It’s fully developed and ready to go right now. Don’t let it slip away!
2005 vintage
Taster #2287
· Aug 23, 2015
93/100
I really enjoyed this. It had a fruity nose to it and I thought I wouldn't enjoy it as much, but had a real nice finish. Definitely a Merlot I plan to go back to.
2010 vintage
Taster #9251
· Nov 28, 2014
90/100
Popped and poured. Dark purple color. Big nose of cassis, blueberry, vanilla, toasted oak and some mocha. A touch of heat coming through on the nose as well. Similar flavors on the palate with blueberry pie flavors joined with a touch of pepper and some charred oak and dark chocolate flavors on the back end. Medium tannins with low to medium acidity. A very tasty wine to sip on after a meal. Paired very well with high cacao dark chocolate.
2010 vintage
Taster #6151
· Aug 18, 2014
91/100
Big and bold merlot. Chewy, dark fruit - think cherry lozenges. Bouquet of honey, vanilla and gentle notes of rosemary. Rounded and smooth, medium tannins, ready to drink.
2010 vintage
Taster #9824
· May 17, 2014
90/100
- Garnet color with medium forming legs and aromas of butterscotch, strawberry jam, rose and tea. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of oak and dusty with a medium/full body. Satin-Like texture with a medium finish.
2010 vintage
Taster #1209
· Mar 17, 2014
92/100
Very nice wine
2010 vintage
Taster #5496
· Feb 27, 2014
91/100
Store Tasting (Roseville, MN) : 97% merlot with 3% cab franc. This merlot sports an enveloping, St. Emilion-type nose of pencil lead and spice, but on the palate it is distinctly Napa, showcasing a level of silky glycerin almost making it seem sweet. The finish is of medium length. This is definitely not a merlot for everyone, and it's just starting to hit its drink window 2014-2020.
2010 vintage
Taster #6476
· Feb 8, 2014
90/100
Tasted blind along with 7 other Merlots. Winner of the night followed closely by Miner and Brian Benson. Like most Ehlers it's very approachable now with definite aging potential. 90 today and I wouldn't be surprised to see that improve considerably over next 5 years.
2010 vintage
Taster #9718
· Jan 29, 2014
84/100
A tad over the hill. You can tell it was good in its day, say 2 years ago... Not bad now, just fading...
2005 vintage
Taster #5044
· Nov 19, 2013
90/100
Dark ruby color with a mostly opaque core. Bouquet displays a complex mix of cranberry, black cherry, plum, menthol, leather and vanilla. The palate is a bit earthy with more fruit and new oak. There is some heat in the wine. The mid-palate feels a tad hollow. The tannins are elevated and rather drying in the finish. The wine has a long finish but the medium-high acidity currently feels a bit out of balance with the rest of its components.
2010 vintage
Taster #9394
· Apr 11, 2013
88/100
Needs time. Tart and astringent followed by heat. Red fruit, cherry emerge as wine opens up
2010 vintage
Taster #1555
· Dec 25, 2012
89/100
Good, but not great like the 2009. Got it on pre-release and it tastes young. Heavy, fruity and not much character drawn out yet. Well balanced. A least a year before the next bottle. Great value for Napa Merlot.
2010 vintage
Taster #8072
· Nov 26, 2011
92/100
Dark deep purple color with thick texture. This merlot makes a statement. Great effort, too bad it's my last bottle.
2005 vintage
Taster #1832
· Oct 1, 2011
95/100
Has gotten better with age. Has great body with fantastic fruit flavor. Just enough tannins and finishes very nice. Drinks more like a cab than a merlot.
2005 vintage
Taster #6869
· Jul 3, 2011
89/100
This Merlot still has great legs. Silky, with a long finish even in 2011. Rudy Zuidema, the former winemaker there, did a tremendous job. The longevity of this bottle shows Rudy's talent and the quality of the grapes.
2005 vintage
Taster #1404
· Oct 4, 2010
92/100
Awesome, smooth, chocolatey. One of the best in a while!
2005 vintage
Taster #7982
· Aug 28, 2010
88/100
Nice, but a little overcooked. I've had subtler wines from Ehlers, but it was solid.
2005 vintage
Taster #1832
· Aug 15, 2010
91/100
This wine drinks more like a Cabernet than a Merlot. It has a lot of body and pairs well with a good steak.
2005 vintage
Taster #3339
· Jan 17, 2009
89/100
A pretty darn good merlot. Adequate structure, a nice bouquet filled with espresso/spice, and nice balance in the mouth. Dark fruits and cocoa, medium finish, a well made, thoroughly enjoyable wine. Nothing light or thin about it.
2005 vintage
Taster #5733
· Nov 24, 2008
89/100
Sampled at winery. Soft and approachable wine with a nice boquet and dark fruits. May not age for more than a few years, but a very nice wine.
2005 vintage
Taster #2546
· Apr 12, 2008
89/100
Medium cranberry red color; ripe plum and mild cedar nose; nice, plush plum, tart plum and cedary oak palate; medium finish (81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc)
2005 vintage
Taster #5824
· Feb 10, 2008
91/100
2008 Loyola Marymount Wine Classic : Very good strong structure; Nice spicy mid; Slight cocoa; Good finish
2005 vintage