Little late to the party but now that my over ambitious 4yo is settled down I am enjoying a 2012 Cakebread Napa Merlot.

I'm not as well versed in voicing my own tasting notes but I can say it is everything you would expect from a big bold Napa wine. Lot of ripe fruit that is very floral on the nose. Hits of blackberry and spice as the below tasting notes suggest are very present.

As many know 2012 was a blockbuster year in Napa and this wine in its youth is a really appealing to me.

**Taking from the producers site**

Our 2012 Napa Valley Merlot immediately captures attention with its perfumed black cherry, red plum and blackberry aromas, which are nicely complemented by hints of mineral and dried herbs. Boasting considerable depth and concentration on the palate, the wine offers rich, vibrant, dark cherry and plum flavors, with notes of sage, tea-leaf spice and a flinty minerality adding zest to the long, cherry-laced finish. Immensely appealing now, this fragrant, delicious merlot will profit from another 5-7 years’ aging

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Posted by lilwineman

Baton Rouge

Member since Dec 2008

1053 posts

Posted on 10/2/15 at 9:36 pm to UnTamedTiger

A few wines I've found from the old world that translate to the American palate very well and have s great price point are listed below. Hopefully it'll open up ideas to break away from the varietal norm of California and domestic wines:

JF Merieau Les Hexagonales Pinot Noir- beautiful Oregon like Pinot from touraine. Bright aromas of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry with a touch of mineralogy hinting at its old world origins. Should be $16-20

Finca Villacreces Pruno Ribera Del Duero- 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet. A perfect adjustment for the ripe fruit and medium tannin wine drinkers. This estate is right next door to vega Sicilia, possibly the most legendary estate in Spain. 93 points Parker for around $20

Agricola Punica Montessu- The Sardinian estate of sassicaia, based off of the grape Carignan with Bordeaux varietals. Their big brother, Barrua, is the real treat. Ideally, these will be "super Sardinians" with huge potential for Isola dei Nuraghi.

My brain is starting to hurt from writing these, time to drink some beer now