4 Bottles of 2008 Swanson Oakville Merlot 3 Bottles of 2003 Swanson Oakville Merlot.
The 2008 Swanson Oakville Merlot is a charming wine, reminiscent more of the Right Bank of Bordeaux than Napa Valley. The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill the palate nicely. In the mouth look for raspberry, black cherry, and red licorice. The Petite Verdot contributes a graceful top note of verve and spice. Velvet-smooth and long on the finish. Should continue to improve in the bottle with the optimum drinkability continuing through 2017.
"A true meeting of the Oakville and Bordeaux minds, this wine retains the weight and texture of the New World, with the nuances and complexity of Pomerol. The nose exhibits dried cherry, raspberry and a smoky blackberry, with the flavors in the mouth echoing this impression nicely. The fine-grained tannins for which our Merlots are known provide the round, ripe texture of this wine. While drinking surprisingly well today, the 2003 Swanson Merlot will improve and be enjoyable for at least the next 6 to 8 years." -Chris Phelps, Winemaker