All of these were tasted and rated blind. I thought my favorite would be the Seavey since I had tasted it previously and loved it. It is interesting what happens when you do them blind!
1999 Seavey: Built to go the distance medium body, currants, flowers, heavy tannins, not a huge finish, had a very nice sweet cherry entry. Me 88pts, Parker 88pts.
2000 B&H Alder Springs: Wow I knew what this was the second it hit my mouth. I previously gave notes on their 2000 cab and the same flavors were in this wine. When tasting the cab I could not put my finger on the flavors. Well now I know waht it is. Raisins, and Prune's. Not a flavor I love, but the wine is good, aromatic and big. I am not a big fan of these flavors but still had to rate it 90 pts. Parker 90pts.
2000 Shafer: Awesome sweet entry, Medium body, sweet tannins, fruity, blackberry jam, not huge but good. me 90+ pts, Parker 87-88.
2000 Pride: Coffee aroma with blackberry, nice sweet entry, medium to full body, nice full complex flavors, ripe balck fruits, chocolate, and maple nut ice cream, tannic but good sweet tannins with a hint of pepper on the finish. Wotn for all. Me 91pts, Parker 88-90.
Re-tasted the next evening with the same results. Liked the Shafer even more the next evening.
It used to be beer, the old lady, & TV. Now it's wine, American Express, & this stupid forum!
Posts: 450 | Location: Oregon | Registered: Jun 19, 2002
I just tried the 2000 Pride last week and found it to be a monster of a merlot. It was quite tannic and would probably benefit with a couple of years of cellaring. Now I'm working on my 97's and they're drinking wonderfully now with the tannic edge having mellowed.
Posts: 271 | Location: Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 18, 2001
I agree, Rigga. I was at the winery today tasting the lineup (Unfortunately, we did not get to taste the Cab Franc) and the Merlot was a mind-blower. I did not expect much from it, not being much of a merlot drinker but the wine was deep, profound, and wonderfully balanced. It definately needs a few years for the acids to lose their rough edges and fo the tannins to ripen, but it was an amazing drink even in it's youth. I bought 6 bottles even at the outrageous price of $50.
