From the Cellar

Emmolo 2013 Merlot, Napa Valley (California)

Details

Category: Uncorked Tonight

(January 9, 2021) ... Threw myself an odd little dinner party on this night, odd during the height of a pandemic, but this might have been one of those mid-points when we were allowed a few people in our presence. I seem to be showing off some Merlot this evening and also some Ontario wines that will be showcased in a different post on another part of the website - post coming soon.

But let's kick this post off talking about the Emmolo 2013 Merlot from Napa Valley. This is what good Cali-Merlot is all about: blackberry, cassis, plum and black cherry, with sweet black currant backing it up; plus there's some silkiness to the palate, but also some gentle white pepper and delicate spice - this truly is a fruit forward number that's deep, rich and opulent.

El Esteca 2006 Don David Malbec (Argentina)

Details

Category: Uncorked Tonight

(January 2, 2021) ... This is crazy that I have a bottle of this "value priced" Malbec in the cellar - sometimes I really gotta give my head a shake - but I took it upstairs and pulled the cork. Aromas hit aggressively, it smelled like walking into a high end coffee shop, but there is also lingering notes of blackberry hanging around; the tannins are fine and silky with a little mocha backing (fits with the coffee shop aromas) plus there's good acidity keeping things from going out of whack. Surprisingly, still a decent bottle of wine.