Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012
(75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc; 50% new oak): Deep purple-ruby. Explosive merlot-driven aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, vanilla and milk chocolate. hen rich, sweet, soft and fresh, with sweet blackberry and blueberry flavors joined by a note of balsamic vinegar on the long, smooth finish. A second sample that had been prepared four days earlier had lost the wonderful charm of the merlot, and its cabernet franc-induced austerity was dominating. But with its floral, white pepper, strawberry and mineral notes, this sample was just as good as the first one, only different.