Deep Red (not particularly dark for a cab)with a signature nose of red fruit, bell pepper and oak. I have had this wine several times and I wonder if it is beginning to lose fruit -- still very nice but not the fruit bomb I remember. Slightly more bell pepper and tartness on the palate with a shorter finish than the last time I had it about a year ago. A very nice wine, but not great.

Already loosing its fruit? Or, may be that "dumb stage". I have a few of these. Do not remember the exact #. What to do now (Drink or Hold)?

I recently had the '98 Merlot and thought it must of been closed down. Or did I have an "off" bottle? The Leonetti web site indicates "drink or hold." This did not represent the hedonism I expected from Leonetti. I have one '98 Merlot left and will wait to see what develops . . .

BO

[ 09-19-2002, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Blue Oval ]

BO,
Good idea to wait on the 98 Merlot. It was huge upon release and 6-8 months after. My bet is that the wine has closed down for a rest, but will be back with a vengeance.

W

I would wait on the 98 Merlot and drink the 97 Cab. Agree with Wino that the 98 Merlot needs a little time -- I think its best days are ahead of it.

On the cab, it is either in a dumb phase or losing a little fruit. It was drinking better a year ago. Had this wine twice in the past 3 months with consistent notes.....

Has anyone tried the '99 Merlot lately? I was thinking of opening one up this weekend.

H,
I had the 99 upon release. It was not as powerful as the 98, but still a solid Leonetti (big fruit + lots of wood). This might be a good time to re-taste it.

W

In my personal experience, Leonetti's have never gained after release, but always has become subdued. If someone has had a different experience, I would appreciate information.

My limited experience with Leonetti is simliar to GMT. I tasted a '92 or '93 Merlot about a year ago and it was a tired, over-the-hill wine. I was VERY disappointed as I often enjoy older wines even when their fruit has dried out somewhat. A couple of months ago tasted the '95 Cab and also thought it was fading. These seem to be hedonistic, right-now wines to be savoured in their youth.

Tim

I have always been a firm believer in drinking Leonetti young, but I did have a 1991 Seven Hills Reserve recently that was great! Still lush fruit, and a beautiful mature nose. I certainly would not wait longer. I also had the 2000 Merlot a couple of times recently and that was the first Leonetti in a while that made me wish I had waited. I think that will be drinking great in a few years.

Overall though, I still think drinking Leonetti young is the way to go....

I agree that unlike the 97 Araujo (see recent TN), Leonetti wines do not usually get bigger with age. They do, however, lose some of the huge amount of their initial wood leading to a more balanced wine. My personal preference is to drink Leonettis and most other Washington wines (except Quilceda Creek) within the first 7 years after release. I do have to say that the 90 Leonetti reserve that I had with fredwilo broke this general rule and far surpassed any of my expectations.

W