Ever have one of those nights when you finish of a bottle of wine and want just one more glass? Well the wife and I had one of those nights last night. We had enjoyed some white wines and just had a hankering for a red wine. Not wanting to open something super special, or something that required food, we headed to the cellar to find something the scratch our itch. After scouring a few choices we decided on a Merlot.
The Merlot in question was from '09 and came from a new join for us from a wine club situation 8 Chains North. We have been familiar with the wine maker Ben Renshaw long before he got to open his own tasting room through tasting as Fabbioli and Notaviva. However, it wasn't until more than year after he opened his tasting room, we decided to join his wine club. Our choice was largely influenced by some of his wine club only, limited selection wines that were going to be available, Malbec was the one that comes to mind.
So as we opened the bottle, we expected it to get better since we hadn't taken the time to decant it. Our initial thoughts included a woody black berry nose with hints of smoke that didn't merry well together. The pallet presented a medium body, light and earthy. There were flavors of rich burnt wood smoke, light acid, and the feel of alcohol burn on the finish. No lingering finish. My wife comment how it paired well with her mint chocolate cheese cake, especially the mint!
The second day I was opening the bottle to wallow in my Fantasy Football lose. So many players did not play to their potential and left me need a drink to bury the pain. I reached for the bottle, pulled the vacuum stopper and poured. Although the nose didn't change that much, I was surprised more black raspberry on the pallet. the wine became what I would describe as lighter in body, and firmer more pronounced tannin's on the finish.
The Merlot in question was from '09 and came from a new join for us from a wine club situation 8 Chains North. We have been familiar with the wine maker Ben Renshaw long before he got to open his own tasting room through tasting as Fabbioli and Notaviva. However, it wasn't until more than year after he opened his tasting room, we decided to join his wine club. Our choice was largely influenced by some of his wine club only, limited selection wines that were going to be available, Malbec was the one that comes to mind.So as we opened the bottle, we expected it to get better since we hadn't taken the time to decant it. Our initial thoughts included a woody black berry nose with hints of smoke that didn't merry well together. The pallet presented a medium body, light and earthy. There were flavors of rich burnt wood smoke, light acid, and the feel of alcohol burn on the finish. No lingering finish. My wife comment how it paired well with her mint chocolate cheese cake, especially the mint!The second day I was opening the bottle to wallow in my Fantasy Football lose. So many players did not play to their potential and left me need a drink to bury the pain. I reached for the bottle, pulled the vacuum stopper and poured. Although the nose didn't change that much, I was surprised more black raspberry on the pallet. the wine became what I would describe as lighter in body, and firmer more pronounced tannin's on the finish.
