| Score: |
91-93 WS.
"The 1999 Merlot Napa (700 cases of a blend of three separate vineyards, Kenefick, Jaeger, and Alder Springs), is structured. It reveals a black/purple color, terrific fruit intensity, a big, weighty, blackberry and cherry-scented nose, and plenty of volume and power in the mouth. The smoky oak is beautifully integrated, as this wine seems to have already sucked up its new oak aging. There is more tannin in the finish, but this is a large-scale, blockbuster Merlot that is probably going to need 2-3 years of cellaring and will last for 15-20 years." Wine Advocate #132, Dec 2000 |