Eager, rampant legs with tangy cherry, cedar, spice and chocolate flavors. A surprisingly long aftertaste albeit quite simple. I actually felt the wine tasted better shortly after opening versus more air time. Easy drinking and hard to beat in the mid $20 range for a merlot.

I have to agree with you on the suprisingly long finish mountainman. A good merlot, especially for the price.

I ordered a couple bottles of this at Del Frisco's a few weeks back. It was the only wine that wasn't seriously overpriced on their wine list. I think we paid around $38 per bottle.

It was delicious. Definitely worth buying again in multiple quantities.

What are your ratings? What is the optimal drinking period?

Doc

Continuing a string of merlot successes from St. Clement.
I actually prefer the 98 to the 99 right now. Likely to change my opinion in the next year as the 99s rest a little. I'd say an 89-90 pointer, but falling short of Shafer and Duckhorn regular bottlings.
Think it has five years, maybe more.

Thanks, King.

Although I have not had the St. Clement 99, I do agree with your assessment of the Shafer and Duckhorn regular bottlings. I'll have to track it down. Just had the Shafer over my b-day weekend...it was great!

Doc

A 90 pointer for me. I agree with KOH the wine will improve with a little rest.