The cab was WAAAAY to expensive, so I bought some Merlot at Wine Library.

Dark Ruby red color.
Currant/blackberry nose.... sweet and ripe.
Initial taste reveals this wine's complexity... and also it's fairly high heat and tannin content. Obviously a very young wine that needs a few years. However, the extraction is wonderful and not overpowered by the oak like the Pride Merlot is. Currant, blackberry, sweet mountain fruit.. (brambly fruit? hehe) leaving thick glycerines and a smooth mouthfeel despite the high alcohol. The finish however is fairly short, and the aftertaste is dominated by the tannins. This wine has much more potential than it's currently showing, but I'm still enjoying it immensely. I'm glad I still have a couple to cellar, even at this price, but I wouldn't buy more. I like the Pride better. I'm going to leave what's left for tomorrow, see if it opens up more.. as it has been for the last 6 hours.



Rev rates it: 91 with potential for more... give it more time my friends... it's a younging. The fruit may even win in the battle with the oak.