NICOLAS COLE GRAEAGLE RED WING - 2005

From Columbia Valley, Washington State. 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark color with chocolate dust and mocha on the nose. Relatively smooth with black currant, blackberry and dark fruits on the palate. Lots of vanilla. Fairly well balanced despite its whopping 14.8% alcohol.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88+PTS

Very solid effort but for $22 a bottle I think this doesn't quite deliver. It just doesn't pack the punch of other Washington meritages in this price category. If you've got the money to spend it might be worth a taste, otherwise I'd pass on this one.