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
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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