2002 Pride Mountain Napa-Sonoma Counties Merlot
SKU #1024507
95 points
Wine Spectator
Gorgeous. Dense, rich and concentrated, with a tight core of blackberry and wild berry with floral and berry jam touches. Tight yet expressive, softening ever so slightly and ending with a persistent push of mineral and berry. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. (JL)
(10/2011)
93 points
Wine & Spirits
Full and delicious, Pride's Merlot achieves a balanced ripeness at the mountaintop border of Napa and Sonoma counties. The wine has density of fruit while it retains a spot-on varietal identity, a flavor of black cherry and rose petal jam. Tannins amplify the richness with a chocolate warmth, evenly meshed with the fruit across the palate.
(6/2005)
93 points
Wine Enthusiast
What a fabulous Merlot. Yes, it’s dense in texture, like molten metal, with melted tannins, but it’s kept lively with clean acids. Meanwhile, the flavors are sheer mountain fruit: concentrated blackberries and cherries and decadent mocha. Complex, elegant and addictively good. *Editors' Choice*
(6/2005)
92 points
Connoisseurs Guide
In the typical Pride Mountain fashion, this deep and complete wine combines lots of fancy oak with fruit that has both the succulence of flatland grapes as well as some of the structure that comes from its mountain-top home. It is rich in crème brulée character and mixes the ripe cherry fruit of Merlot with the brightness of fresh cranberries in a friendly, open set of flavors. The wine's depth and latter palate convinces that it can age handsomely as well. *Two Stars*
(3/2005)
90 points
Wine Advocate
The 2002 Merlot, which comes from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of the mountain, is elegant, with wonderfully sweet black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of mocha, white chocolate, and some background sappy wood notes. Its beautiful integration of acidity and tannin make for an elegant, polished, and stunning Merlot to drink over the next decade. (RP)
(2/2005)
90 points
Int'l Wine Cellar
Red-ruby. Aromas of redcurrant, tobacco, milk chocolate and loam. Sweet, complex flavors of redcurrant, tobacco, cedar, smoke and minerals, all brightened by harmonious, ripe acidity that runs through the wine. Finishes with round, sweet tannins and very good length. Merlot with real flavor interest. (ST)
(6/2005)
