Schweiger
Napa Valley, California
Spring Mountain District
Reserve
Merlot
2004
$30.99
14.6%
Dark, opaque purple core, the rims a burnt sunset red, strongly hued and looks middle-aged. Metallic and stony touch to the nose, has that mountain ruggedness to it, grilled meat fat and beef jerky, menthol like lift to it, the fruit, however, comes off as attenuated, mainly roasty cherry to blackberry scents. Full-bodied, not all that nimble and does not flow with ease. Plenty of tannic punch left. Big swell of bell pepper in the mid-palate. Here the cherry, plum, currant fruit more consistent and gets to the finish line without problem. The oak toast has an echo of vanilla or caramel, in the majority presenting buttered toast. But not all that oaky per se. Damp, minerally earth punctuates the finish. Does gain more souplesse with air time.
89 points