Gold Medal - Tasters Guild, 2011
We have featured the excellent wines from Hagafen Cellars in Napa Valley at WineHeist before, but this is the first time that we had the chance to try their exclusive line of “Prix” reserve wines. These wines are typically available only to their wine club, and once we tried them, we could see why: the quality is another step above even Hagafen’s usual standard of excellence. We jumped at the chance to offer their 2006 Merlot, and even better, we are able to offer it at an incredible 25% off.
The 2006 Prix Vichy Vineyard Reserve Merlot is deep ruby in color, with the nose showing classic Merlot aromas of plum and black cherries, along with a hint of candied berries and spearmint. The palate shows blackberry and cherry flavors intermingled with tobacco and damp earth, with good acidity carrying through on the finish. Like all of Hagafen’s wines, this one is built to age (but luckily they have already aged this one in the cellar for you!), and also to go with food. This would be perfect with lamb shank or beef Bourgogne. For Napa Merlot, $55 is a great price, but at $42, this is one that should not be missed.
Varietal: 100% Merlot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest: September 30th, 2006
pH: 3.77
Alcohol: 13.5%
Brix at harvest: 24.6
Acidity: 6.8 g/L
Cases Produced: 200
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
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