Ravenswood
Sonoma Valley, California
Sangiacomo Vineyard
Merlot
1992
$29.99
13.8%
The purple left in the core heavily influenced by sunset red shades, the rims a pure burnt to red orange, liquid is clear enough. Nose of matted straw, savory garden herbs, prune to plum, cherry fruit, there's a medicinal quality to it as well which gives it lift if not also some burn, the oak reduced to cedar and vague vanilla powder. Medium-bodied, starts off with tar, leather and black tea leaf but even at its age the cherry, plum to cassis fruit still holding court from the throne. Back end gets earthier with bell pepper notes and wet minerals. Retronasally you get a blast of honey and mesquite smoke. Has held together remarkably well.
91 points