2005 Robert Hall Merlot, Paso Robles.
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This Merlot-based blend is medium depth ruby garnet with a purple rim and good clarity. Medium intensity aromas of plum lead to light smoke and notes of dusty herbs, black currant and vanilla. In the mouth, medium intensity black plum is accented by spice. A medium body is built around smooth and supple tea-like tannins, bright acids and bold alcohol. The mouthfeel is juicy and lightly astringent. A long finish of plum ends with a bit of heat. |
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13.9% Alcohol $18.00 Retail (from winery); Total case production unknown. |
This is a solid, straightforward Merlot-based (Meritage-styled) blend with good varietal character and a distinct Paso Robles hallmark. Tight at first, it opens in about 30 minutes in a decanter to reveal bouncy fruit. This good value doubles as a stand-up and as a companion to red sauce pastas, red meats and veal. It will continue to drink well over the next two to three years. BOTTOM LINE: Fairly good. No serious flaws. Worth trying. |
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Production | Grapes | Producer | Vineyard | Vintage
Composition: 84% merlot, 15% Cabernet franc and 1% Malbec - all estate fruit - aged for 16 months in barrel.
Merlot has a flavor profile similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but displays less distinctive and slightly more herbaceous aromas and flavors. Because of its lower tannins and more forward fruit, it is more approachable than Cabernet Sauvignon. Although it is beloved by many for its approachability and is a dominant part of California and Bordeaux red wines, Merlot is fickle about its weather: it requires a moderate and dry growing region and climate to be at its best. Merlot shows more of the green and herbaceous characteristics when either under- or over- ripe.
Cabernet franc, along with Sauvignon blanc, is the “parent” of Cabernet sauvignon. It is one of the five main grapes used for making red Bordeaux wines. Although it tends to display more fruit and less tannins than Cabernet sauvignon, it may become more herbal depending on vineyard management practices. It is much more often used as part of a blend – most traditionally in Bordeaux or Meritage blends as well as unconventional blends with Rhône varieties, Cal-Itals and Super Tuscans. Cabernet franc displays raspberry, cherry, plum, strawberry, floral notes of violet and sometimes spice. With bottle aging, it takes on aromas of cedar, olive, cigar box, musk, mushroom, earth and leather. Read more.
One of the traditional "big five” of Bordeaux, Malbec has lost in standing to Merlot. Currently, Malbec thrives, and is most extensively cultivated, in Argentina where it is the dominant variety and its name is often spelled: “Malbeck”. In Argentina, it produces, soft, deeply colored, juicy wines – thanks to the long, warm growing seasons. Malbec’s character has been described as intermediate between Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot. Its most distinct characteristics are deep color, low acids and high tannin content. Aromas and flavors include: anise, black currants, cherries, plums and a floral characteristic often described as “violets”. Farming and vinification choices as well cooperage can bring in coffee, chocolate, leather and vanilla.
Robert and Margaret Hall founded Robert Hall Winery in 1995. Located on the south side of Highway 46, east of the city of Paso Robles and east of Huerhuero Creek, the property enjoys warm to hot daytime temperatures. There is still a cooling marine effect from the Pacific Ocean, 20 miles to the west. The growing season in the area is long, dry, consistent and well suited to late-ripening varieties. Don Brady joined Robert Hall Winery in 2001 and bottled the label's first wine in 2002. After studying horticulture at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, he worked for Llano Estacado Winery (just outside Lubbock) – the largest premium winery in west Texas. Prior to coming to Robert Hall, he was Director of winemaking at Delicato's San Bernabe vineyard in the the AVA of the same name. Don's approach to winemaking is rooted in his horticulture background. He focuses on bringing out vineyard expression in the wine by getting the fruit to its best prior to harvest and vinification. Once on the crush pad, he says he treats the fruit in a traditi0onal manner. Rather than molding fruit to predetermined style, he believes in letting the fruit and site express themselves. Read more
There are now 4 vineyards growing some 300 acres of fertile varied soils (moderately deep, slightly alkaline, calcareous, mix of granitie, shale, sand, loam limestone and clay gravel and chalk) growing 23 varieties: Alvarelhão, Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache blanc, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Orange Muscat, Petite Syrah, Piquepol blanc, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Souzão, Syrah, Tinta cão, Touriga, Viognier and Zinfandel.
The 140-acre Home Vineyard is the first and original property located east of the winery on Highway 46. The wines from this vineyard go into the core of the winery's production. The Bench Vineyard is home to the winery and the Hospitality Center at the junction of Highway 46 and Mill Road, overlooking Huerhuero Creek. This site grows 12 acres of clone 8 Cabernet sauvignon and Syrah. North of Highway 46, the Terrace and Brady Vineyards lie on the southern banks of the Estrella River. The 65-acre Terrace Vineyard is just north-east of the Paso Robles Airport. The 18-acre Brady Vineyard is winemaker Don Brady's family vineyard, located east of the Terrace Vineyard on alluvial soils of the Estrella River's south bank. Read more
The 2005 year saw an increase in crops over the preceding years. The year is being compared to the acclaimed 1997 vintage because of a very long and generally cool growing season without heat spikes. This long season resulted in extended hang times in even temperatures which gave the fruit good extraction but lower sugar levels. The slow ripening of the fruit is expected to make for elegance and balance in the wines of this vintage. Read More
Rating
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Color |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Nose |
3 points |
(5 points max) |
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Palate |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Finish |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Tannins |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Acidity |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Alcohol |
4 points |
(5 points max) |
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Aging potential |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Overall quality |
7 points |
(10 points max) |
Cumulative Score: 85 Points
Rating System & Scoring Criteria explained
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