|
|
Wine Recommendation
Maghee Cellars
2002 Merlot(Rattlesnake Hills)
Pure Merlot, smooth and buttery, from Washington’s newest appellation. This thick, substantial wine, aged for two years in 90 percent French and ten percent new American oak, lays on the liquorous, buttery flavors, but the fruit is up to the challenge. The words caramel and chocolate keep creeping into my notes; if the fruit were any less substantial it would be overwhelmed. But this is very smooth, supple and soft, and certainly drinks well right now.
This is one of five different labels created under the Woodhouse Family Cellars brand; among all of their wines this is the most substantial and the best value.
Reviewed August 2, 2006 by Paul Gregutt.
The Wine
Winery: Maghee Cellars |
The Reviewer
Paul Gregutt
Paul Gregutt values these things in wine above all: typicity, specificity, clarity, elegance, polish, depth and balance. He recognizes that there are genuine flaws in some wines, and it is important to know and identify them. Wines that are too ripe, too oaky or alcoholic to the point where nuance and detail are obliterated are not going to win his praise. Price is a factor in his evaluation of any wine; a good $8 wine is much harder to make than a good $80 wine. |