2005 Vintner Select Merlot
Clone 3 Merlot vines planted on a vein of rocky, volcanic soil in our Lower Mountain Top vineyard block create this expressive single vineyard wine. Heady red fruit and floral notes of blueberry, raspberry, plum and freesia are balanced by brown sugar, anise and toffee aromas. The seductive nose and mid-palate lead into a silky finish as fully integrated tannins caress the tongue.
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Profile
| Appellation: | Sonoma County |
|---|---|
| Vintage: | 2005 |
| Harvest: | October 2005 |
| Fermentation: | Stainless Steel |
| Cooperage: | French Oak |
| Blend: | 100% Merlot |
| Alcohol: | 15.7% |
| Bottling: | July 2007 |
| Production: | 490 cases |
| Release Date: | November 15, 2007 |
| Price: | $75.00 |
- June 03, 2008 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2008 Issue 138
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Rating: 93
Good full red-ruby. Sexy aromas of raspberry, mocha, minerals and nutty oak. Fat, lush and seamless, with impressively dense flavors of dark fruits, mocha and nutty oak lifted by subtle finishing minerality. The tannins are substantial but sweet, and this very rich, layered merlot retains freshness on the very long finish. - March 13, 2008 The Wine Spectator-Jan/Feb 2008
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Rating: 91
Supple yet well structured underneath, with bold aromas of black cherry, toasty oak and roasted coffee aromas. The flavors are concentrated yet fleshy, with plum, cedar and pencil notes. Best from 2008 through 2012. 490 cases made - January 03, 2008 Wine Advocate, Dec. 28, 2007, Issue 174
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Rating: 94
The 2005 Vintner's Select is a dense, full-bodied red wine that stains the teeth and fills the mouth with notes of chocolate, mocha, roasted espresso, blackberries, and sweet cherries. This whopper of a Merlot is dense, chewy, and oozing with fruit and glycerin. Consume this stunning 2005 over the next decade. - January 03, 2008 California Grapevine, Dec. 07/ Jan. 08
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Rating: 91
Medium to medium-dark ruby with purplish tinges; attractive, intense, complex, toasty, tarrish, dark currant and black cherry fruit aroma; full body, rich, plush, plumy, concentrated, toasty, textured, mouth-filling, dark berry fruit flavors; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Could use another three to five more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.
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