Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate, what more can I say??!! This is a delight right now, pumping out currant, plum and (yes) chocolate supported by firm, velvety tannins. Extended finish too. The semi-knowledgeable friend I served this to blurted out "wow, this is good." 93 pts in my book, and lacking only a touch of complexity to score higher. Could have 5 years (or more) left too. At $20, a kick a.. QPR. I wish I had more than two left.
Posts: 223 | Location: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Apr 30, 2002
I've got a 3 liter etched bottle of the Ch. St. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot... Are you familiar with that vineyard? It has been several years since I last tasted it... I always thought that 1996 was a great year in Washington...
highdesertwine
Posts: 1669 | Location: Victorville, California | Registered: Nov 09, 2001
HDW, unfortunately, I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to Merlot, especially CSM offerings. If the Cold Creek Cab I had is any indication, however, '96 must have been a good vintage in Washington!!
Posts: 223 | Location: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Apr 30, 2002
I don't know about good, but '96 was a very difficult year for wine in WA, due to a big freeze. Many wineries hardly had enough grapes to make any wine. Leonetti got grapes from CA. Quilceda Creek's production was only down about 25%, but Parker still rated it fairly high.
Posts: 2059 | Location: Snohomish, WA | Registered: Jan 31, 2002
