1994 Matanzas Creek Merlot Sonoma Valley
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Tasting notes
So what's new? Matanzas Creek continues to turn out rich, concentrated Merlots that provide a reference point for what heights this grape can achieve in California. The 1994 possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, a flashy display of aromatics (chocolate, jammy red and black fruits, and vanilla), full body, loads of dense, thick, unctuously-textured flavors, low acidity, and a long, spicy, powerful finish. For its size, this wine keeps everything in perspective. It should drink well for 10-12 years. It is a worthy rival to the stunning 1992 and 1993. Note: Prices are listed only for those wines that are being pre-sold as futures by MacArthur Beverages in Washington, DC, the first American wine shop to offer California wine futures, which they have done for eleven consecutive years. Tel. (707) 528-6464
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good dark red, a bit brighter than the above. Deep, thoroughly ripe, complex aromas of raspberry, game and woodsmoke, with an intriguing vegetal complexity. Lush, thick and seamless, but perhaps beginning to close up. Still, this already shows wonderful inner-mouth sweetness and solid underlying structure. Really explosive finish, with tannins covered by fruit.