Merriam
Merriam 2005 Block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley)
- $35
A strongly flavored, tannic wine, marked by black currant, blackberry and blueberry flavors, sprinkled with exotic Indian spices. Drink this bone-dry Cabernet over the next several years.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
Merriam 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley)
- $35
How dark this wine is. It opens with a brambly, dusty aroma, like wild berries on a hot summer day, as well as hints of dried leather and toast. In the mouth, there’s a burst of blackcurrant that quickly disappears into the tannins. Best after 2006.
— S.H.
(6/1/2004)
Merriam 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley)
- $35
Very soft to the point of melted, this gentle wine has chocolate, blackberry pie, cherry jam and smoky flavors that are fundamentally dry, but finish with an almost liqueur-like sweetness. Good with everything from a smoky charbroiled steak to vanilla ice cream.
— S.H.
(12/15/2006)
Merriam 2006 Windacre Merlot (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $30
A bruiser of a Merlot, dry and muscular, with green olive, blackberry, sage and smoky cedar flavors, wrapped into bigtime tannins. Even at the age of nearly 5 it’s still brooding and hard. Not an ager, but there’s something fine and polished about it now.
— S.H.
(9/1/2011)
Merriam 2006 Block 8 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
- $40
Super-extracted in fruit, with jammy cherry and blackberry flavors, this Cab’s texture is a little aggressive. It’s tannic and acidic, giving the wine a tough bite that even at the age of nearly five years is unlikely to age out.
— S.H.
(10/1/2011)
Merriam 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
- $35
Here’s an easy Cab that has well-ripened blackberry and currant flavors and is dry and fairly tannic. There’s a rusticity to the mouthfeel. Will play well against a steak.
— S.H.
(10/1/2005)
Merriam 2004 Block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley)
- $35
Ripe, almost overripe, this Cab has red and black currant and milk chocolate flavors that are almost raisined, but not quite. The warm vintage has made the wine too soft. But it is delicious, and the sticky tannins are pure pleasure.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)
Merriam 2006 Windacre Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $45
A bit sharp now, with extracted cherry jam and cedar flavors. Could be going through an awkward phase. Decant for an hour or two before serving.
— S.H.
(11/1/2009)
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