2020 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot

The 2020 Merlot Pedestal Vintage Select is brooding with a hauntingly dark, backward bouquet of dried blueberries, sage, cedary spice and gravel dust. It sweeps across the palate with grace, silken yet poised, with mineral-inflected red and blue fruits that saturate. A core of brisk acidity guides things along. The 2020 leaves a wall of edgy tannins on the finish, tapering off long and chewy with a hint of salted licorice that lingers on and on. This is a beast in need of extensive cellaring.

An even split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that spent 22 months in 70% new barrels, the inky-hued 2020 Pedestal Vintage Select boasts a rocking nose of spiced black cherries, chocolaty herbs, leather, and smoke tobacco. These carry to a medium to full-bodied red that has good concentration yet the vintage's firm, almost austere, tannic style. It opens up slightly with time in the glass, so give this a few years in the cellar and it will be easier to see where this is headed. It has potential, but these tannins will need to be watched.

The 2020 Merlot Pedestal is dark and spicy, suggesting notes of dark chocolate and grilled herbs that give way to crushed blackberries and hints of camphor. It's luscious and round, with a measured inner sweetness and masses of ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout. This leaves a tart wild berry tinge and fine-grained tannins to linger. Finishing long with hints of mocha and sour orange, the 2020 steps lightly but leaves a big impact. Beautiful. (EG)