Tasting Note                         

89+  2007  Blackstone  Limited Release Merlot (Sonoma Valley)    10/5/12 ($70)

  15.2% alc
Color: Deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Big, ripe blackberry and plum sauce fruit with a healthy dose of cedar and a bit of heat and black pepper spice. (3.0) Body: Heavyweight with excellent fruit and acidity and lots of smooth tannins with a touch of heat. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with a slight bitterness creeping in from alcohol. (3.0) Finish: Still shows heat here, but fruit is long and concentrated. (3.0)
Overall: This is big, ripe CA Merlot. Has the weight and concentration of a fine Napa Cabernet, but pushes the envelope at 15.2% alc. It has loads of ripe blackberry and plum sauce fruit with excellent acidity and smooth tannins, but it's not particularly complex and heat does raise its ugly head a little. Still excellent and could improve with more time if the heat can integrate. (15.0)

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