Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Merlot 2004
This Merlot smells of blueberries. In the mouth the fruit is quite dense, there’ a little warmth, moderate acidity, light body and a long finish. 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19 months aging in French oak, yet there’s an elegance. It’s a pleasure to taste an expensive Merlot that isn’t drowning in new oak $90 at the winery www.pahlmeyer.om
Chateau de Valandraud St. Emilion Grand Cru Virgine de Valandraud 2000
Full of toasty oak like the 03 and 04 Smith Haut Lafitte on the other side of Bordeaux. In the mouth this wine is still a baby; it’s quite tannic with moderate acidity and lots of extract. There’s some brett in the background that provides an added complexity. Thunevin says this is not a second wine as some claim but rather a distinct wine that is treated to new oak and drawn from vines with an average of 30 years age of 70% Merlot and 30% Cab Franc $90 retail thunevin.com