Newton, Unfiltered Merlot, Napa Valley

I was very surprised by this bottle of Merlot I have 5 more left and I am glad.

2012 vintage

This wine is still well within its drink-by date. We did aerate it before drinking as the cork broke and we thought some had fallen into the wine. It did not and the wine was very good.

2007 vintage

We enjoyed this wine after letting it open for an hour or so. Very little bitterness with mellow cherry notes. Would not age further.

2002 vintage

This was a bit subdued on the nose for the first glass or two. Probably needed a decant, but once awoken the nose provided a delightful red fruit and vanilla medley. Raspberry flavors lead the way with a baking spice sweetness and some floral notes. On the palate the wine is incredibly smooth, tannins are generally gone, but has kept a heavier mouth feel than I would have expected. Finish continues the fruit vanilla notes, but there is some additional …

2012 vintage

Not as good as the ‘10 and ‘11

2012 vintage

Nose: black fruits, stewed strawberry, allspice, mint/bay leaf, Nice and dry. Dark chocolate, strawberry, mint, black tea. nice mouthfeel, milky. This wine is fantastic, the '10 is better though.

2012 vintage

Big berries in this nose: red fruits most dominantly raspberry, it also has a distinct sweetness like baking spices or fresh flowers. There is a definite black licorice or freshly laid tar (maybe both) at the tail end. Smooth with a heavier mouth feel: a pretty spicy dry finish. Nothing sticks out on the first sip and there’s nothing wrong with that. Fruit and vanilla notes.

2012 vintage

Drink the other two this year.

2012 vintage

Wow! I thought this bottle would be past peak, but it is actually drinking beautifully! It actually also held up for several hours after opening.

2006 vintage

A lot here. Carries itself with power for merlot

2012 vintage

Past it's prime.

2002 vintage

Drinking very well at the moment

2012 vintage

This was spectacular. Massively fruited with great concentration and depth, and a huge, firm structure. Nothing soft or flabby about this wine, but also no harshness. Certainly among the very finest merlot wines I have ever enjoyed. Compares favorably with Pahlmeyer, Pride, Duckhorn 3 Palms and Paloma ... and even the 1990 Beausejour Duffau (which was rated 100 by RP).

2012 vintage

Markedly fruitier, and no better quality a wine than the 2014 Red Label Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit drenched modernity, with very good acid. 88-89.

2012 vintage

Drank at the end of 2016, did not have the flavors or depth expected, a bit long in the tooth. Much better uses for the Money from Newton or elsewhere .

2007 vintage

Lots of good merlot specific things going on but the tannins are very coarse on the finish. Didn't improve over two days.

2007 vintage

Smooth with long finish. Underrated by other users, in my opinion.

2012 vintage

Surprisingly primary and very youthful, this has an abundance of sweet, layered Merlot-fruit with hints of tobacco and sous bois, a good balance and a straight forward jammyness back by a serious backbone and structure - and yes, acidity. Better than expected, this wine will live on, surely.

2002 vintage

Nice merlot. A bit singular, but and opulent. I got more dark fruit today than my Julyntasting note suggests. Probably because this bottle I let breathe for four hours, but no decanting. There is some age developing on the wine, but as usual CT pundits miss the dates by a decade...at least. This wine will drink into 2022+

2006 vintage

Could wait a little while on this one. Slightly harsh tanins before decanting for an hour. Very one note. Plum and cherry on the nose. Dark cherry and hints of vanilla. Currant when you let it stay on your tongue. Expected a little more. I guess that's why they are recommending early drinking. The 2010 and 2011 are far superior.

2012 vintage

Lots of red fruit - pomegranate and currants especially -- with some twigs and other stems in the late body. This wine almost seems like a Malbec, but just abut softer and less edgy. I'm not sure how this will age. I'm thinking this is nearly done,made spite lots of fruit...the fruit is becoming more forward and tart. I think it's time to wrap up my half case.

2006 vintage

Getting long in the tooth

2007 vintage

From the white label Aroma developed dried fruit, cherries and figs The palate is rich creamy, creamed blackberries , a good sweet core Conc: 13yr old Merlot, from Napa thats balanced and rich great with cured meats impresses

2002 vintage

Ok so no tasting notes in a while. I'm back and this is delish with my man at Avant in Rancho Bernardo. The special cellar. . It's like a good book you want to read more of. Earthy deep and soulful . Rich dried berry fruit and super sexy spicy mouth filling finish. I'm happy he's happy ah. A merlot is either eh or blow your mind. Right?

2002 vintage

Maturing nicely, getting some forest floor but still with fruit.

2006 vintage

Fantastic. I love this bottle. I am so upset that it is my last bottle. Truly loved all of these wines.

2002 vintage

not a blockbuster is any one dimension but nice overall, especially on second day when it softened. A bit tight on day one but deep fruit and obvious backbone of tannins and acid add tension. Softened and integrated over time. Nose was not giving much initially but got more floral with time. Favors were typical for Napa merlot.

2007 vintage

Very nice wine - rich with good flavors, silky texture and plenty of concentration. Dark cherry, plum and blueberries. Plenty of structure to frame all the fruit. Medium +, fruity finish. 90-91

2007 vintage

singing now

2006 vintage

This is a solid wine that has good concentration and balance. Nice cedar cherry nose and attack. Gets dry in the mid palette from tannin then finishes smooth and clean. I was hoping for more because of my past newton experiences but still solid.

2006 vintage

Fairly closed right now, little nose. Dark cherry Jam initial impression but a tannic middle and finish.

2006 vintage

Decanted. Somewhat one-dimensional.. Soft fruit with little tannins left... no real defects... but probably past it prime.

2002 vintage

Not interested in trying again. Ok if it had costs $12 bucks.

2006 vintage

Dark cherry, vanilla and tobacco, , balanced acid and tannin. surprisingly smooth for older unfiltered Newton.

2006 vintage

Still outstanding. Still getting better with age.

2002 vintage

Silky smooth, tons of fruit, long finish. Wonderful with safron chicken.

2007 vintage

This wine is drinking beautifully right now. Very smooth, tons of fruit, long finish. Absolutely wonderful.

2006 vintage

Newton has been a big favorite of ours for years, so this wine came as a real disappointment. Let me temper that comment with this: in general, I am not a big Merlot fan, but generally, I like mountain Merlots. This one had notes of violets and olive oil on the nose, but upon tasting, it was one dimensional and unbalanced. It had a pretty big front end, but faded and did not have the velvety softness we anticipated. Maybe …

2007 vintage

My experience was close to the WS description and not as pleasurable as the last few reviews. Never integrated for me - remained kind of steely and one dimensional. The fruit never came to the foreground and the finish was a bit sharp vs. rounded. Drank over 24 hours and didn't get better. Well made I suppose but not my cup of tea this time.

2006 vintage

wonderfully balanced and full bodied. Heavy on the fruit - almost chewy. Very enjoyable

2006 vintage

- Brick color - Drinking beautifully now. Not sure why CT people think this was at end of window this year. This wine is beautifully balanced. Definitely a cab drinkers merlot!

2002 vintage

Still Yummy, but not as good as I remember the bottle from about 1 year ago. Very smooth, but definitely has a kick

2002 vintage

Solid. But not overwhelming. Somewhat muted.

2002 vintage

Medium/deep. Dark purple. Vanilla oak nose with some fruit. Big ripe dark fruit and oak. Strong but pliable tannin. A big American.

2007 vintage

Have to let the alcohol burn off, but still has a lot of fruit. More balanced and rounded the second night.

2002 vintage

drinks great with a decant. spicey, hints of chocolate and blueberries.

2006 vintage

Unfair as I PNP this bottle and it was getting much richer and smoother towards the end of the last glass. Too young without a long decant.

2006 vintage

dark plum aromas upon openning. Good color. Classic Merlot flavors of Chocolate and dark fruits but lacking in any richness. Will stay where it is for another few years but it's about as good as it gets now.

2002 vintage

Good, but over the hill at this point. These Newton Merlots seem to burn bright and fade quickly. I'll enjoy my last three bottles but it's time to finish them off.

2002 vintage

Aromas of deep plum and a little sawdust. Intense flavors of dark cherry and more plum. Drinking very well right now. Sweet tannins and still has some time to go.

2002 vintage

Are you sure?

Newton, Unfiltered Merlot, Napa Valley

Vintages

No vintages

Community Reviews