2008 La Gomerie

Very rich and sweet with some terroir influence. But very exotic and opulent. A little drying on the finish. (JR)

Medium red-ruby. Open-knit aromas of blackberry and coffee, plus a hint of lead pencil. Supple, sweet and easygoing, with moderate depth and grip to the flavors of dark plum, mocha, coffee and spices. Finishes with fairly light, dusty tannins and herbal and menthol nuances. Not a particularly deep or structured version of this all-merlot cuvee, and best suited for relatively early consumption.

Tasted on three separate occasions, this is a one-dimensional, much less impressive effort than I expected. Dark plum/ruby-hued, round and silky, it lacks concentration and tastes more like a Pinot Noir than a high class Merlot from St.-Emilion. Consume it over the next 2-3 years.