merlot Archives - whiskytanuki

Estampa Gold Syrah Blend 2010

A blend from Colchagua Valley, Chile. Consists of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, from a single vineyard. Sounds pretty exciting, time to dive in.

Colour: Dark ruby-purple core, medium garnet rim.

Nose: Crème de cassis, black currant leaf, pepper, meat, liquorice, mint, black raspberry, faint cigarette smoke.

Palate: Dry, medium+ bodied, high acidity, medium tannins. Plum, black cherry, sour cherry (almost tomato like), blackcurrant, light vanilla.

Finish: Long finish, liquorice, sour cherry, oak.

Score: 80/100

Hits you in the face with an initial blastoff crème de cassis, then followed by a peppery, meaty nose, black fruits and very specifically cigarette smoke on the exhale (I am not a smoker). Surprising amount of acidity suggest this is best consumed with food. Loads of dark fruits to start, very juicy due to the acidity. Towards the end vanilla, liquorice, and oak kicked in, lingering. Paired with sousvide rack of lamb later on, wonderful pairing. A decent blend, not intrigued by its complexity, but works wonders with food. The finish lasts for minutes. Drink now or in the coming 2-3 years.

Chateau Saint-Arnaud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1993

Left breathing for 1 hour.

Colour: Tawny, clear core.

Nose: Initially closed up, showing cured meat, leather, touch of black fruits. After an hour, the nose opened up, with aromas of plums, liquorice, cherries, and a faint hint of vanilla.

Palate: Dry, medium+ acidity, fine grainy tannins, plums, sour cherries, touch of old wood.

Finish: Short to medium finish, sour cherries and touch of oak.

Score: 70/100

Always interesting diving into older wines, 1993 isn’t a good vintage for Saint-Emilion, and this wine is showing that. Definitely past it’s prime, the nose is what you expect from old Bordeaux, the palate falls short on the simple side.