Estancia "Keyes Canyon Ranches" Merlot 2006

Estancia "Keyes Canyon Ranches" Merlot 2006

Presentation: ***

Nose: **

Complexity: *

Value: **

Overall: **

A few months back, October perhaps, I had a bottle

of this and thought "Wow--now THAT'S a good

Merlot!" What a fool I was! When drinking the

same vintage, same wine a few nights ago I

noticed a real lack of originality in it. It's

stable, sure. But it's also not much

to write home about. You can taste

the oak, and it's smooth. But that's

about all I can say for it.

Needs improvement.

Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet (Columbia Crest) 2007

Presentation: ***

Nose: **

Complexity: ****

Value: ***

Overall: ***

This week's wine is a Cabernet that has gotten some rave reviews in wine publications--Columbia Crest's "Horse Heaven Hills" Cabernet. My knowledge of terroir isn't the greatest, but this wine has a great deal of minerality and some black pepper flavors. The nose refused to open up to me, but it's complex flavor and seemingly condensed bouquet made it an excellent, stand alone Cabernet. If you like Cab, this one is a lot of fun to drink.