Upon first opening this bottle, I though "Oh No." Pretty green and almost dill pickelish?
That actually changed to slurpfulness, as with air this became a delightful, lean, red-fruit dominated wine. Still oak, but the savory, tangy acidity combined with the raspberry fruit in a very nice way. Was this acidified? I'm not sure I dislike this "un-natural" technique, then...because it made this wine very tangy. Notes on Cellartracker seemed to show more black fruit, and this also showed up...another commenter noted "shows the grapes were not picked over-ripe" and I agree.
I liked this a lot.
Pellegrini "Cloverdale Ranch" Merlot 2006. I just didn't like this. It tasted harsh and medicinal, almpst crude, with overpowering green notes (eucalyptus?) a lot of alcohol. Tastes fruity and confected. I like big California wines, but not this one.
2005 Chateau Pontpezat Cotes de Castillon. Pretty tight right now...not showing a lot of fruit on the palate. Still, the nose is lovely, with hints of currant fruit, tobacco, and earth. Tannins did show up as the evening went on. Even in a tight, young phase, I prefered this Merlot-based wine to the Cloverdale Ranch. I kinda sorta like fruitless and tight wines.
This was under $20 at Paul Marcuse in OaklandHeitz Cellars "Bella Oaks" 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon. This bottle, tasted at the winery,had the green notes of Bella Oaks and the 1998 vintage, but it also had layers of nice cherry fruit, savoryness, earth, and tobacco. Quite lovely. It's on sale for $26 right now.