描述
TASTING NOTES
- 94/100 [Vintage 2018] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Chapter & Verse’s 2018 Reserve Merlot has a deep garnet appearance with only a slight orange rim. Expect intense, evolving Merlot fruit showing strong black plum and black cherry, with even some red plum and red cherry already emerging, wrapped up in new oak notes of vanilla, toast, smoke and clove together with some slightly tertiary leather and cigar box appearing. On the palate, the 2018 Reserve Merlot is full-bodied, with ripe, rounded, chewy tannins, supporting acidity and well-integrated 15% alcohol providing the frame for some well-defined Merlot fruit of marked concentration, complemented by those new oak notes. More youthful on the palate than the nose and with its long length, the 2018 Reserve Merlot is developing well in bottle and will easily continue to improve over the next 5-7 years, at least. This is comparable with the strong 2014 vintage of this wine. - 96/100 [Vintage 2017] by James Sucklin
A glossy, deep merlot that is almost a little “bloody” on the nose with impressive density. Lots of dark plums, blackberries, cocoa powder, sanguine orange, iron and tapenade. Full-bodied palate with structured, mealy tannins that disappear into the fruit. Very resolved, silky and long. Sophisticated and complex merlot with a slightly saline finish, where there is a hint of salted dark chocolate at the end. A warmer vintage that delivered more character and structure. Lots of oak, but beautifully knit and adequate. Tasted twice. Drink or hold. - 94/100 [Vintage 2014] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2014 Reserve Merlot has a deep ruby appearance with ripe black and red plum, mulberry and black cherry-this is super Chinese Merlot!-with distinct clove, vanilla and toasted secondary notes(arounds 60% to 70% new oak here). Full-bodied, rich and still very much youthful, the wine shows robust, ripe, coating tannins, vibrant but well-integrated high alcohol and some lifting acidity. What's heartening is that this wine maintains a degree freshness in what is a thoroughly vinous but not flabby Merlot of long length and considerable finesse. This has real potential and would benefit from further time in bottle.
