It’s another clandestine review from a local watering hole. For price ($2 a glass) a pretty drinkable wine. And that’s mostly because it’s aged 3 years in the bottle before they served it, unlike a recently reviewed Cabernet Sauvignon from the same winery.

This wine has a clear, bright medium ruby to violet color with a “loose” structure based on the swirl test. You can detect some berry notes with faint cherry or black cherry undertones with this wine. Those notes come through on the palette with some moderate acidity and tannins. The age of the wine has certainly helped with this moderation, unlike a Cabernet Sauvignon from the same winery reported on earlier. This gives you a good balance – still a little heavy on the tannins at the end – and a short to medium finish. Its biggest detraction is that it seemed to be predominately a one-note wine.

Grade: C+ Price: $6

Wine Reviewed:
Copper Ridge
2004
Merlot
California
Gallo Family Vineyards