Notes from the Archivist

"Chimera"

Remember back when we dropped Entry No. 004, “The Griffin” Merlot? You do? Well, see you on the other side of the checkout.

The OGs remember that was positively one of the MOST WANTED among a string of great releases when we started last July and August.

We don’t do sequels so this is more a Captain America to your Tony Stark. Same team, different strengths.

Last year Decanter described our Griffin release as “full-throttle, robust, powerful” and “one heck of a Merlot”.

This one?

“Positively one of the darkest, boldest, most muscular Merlots you may yet stain your wine glass with.”

I don’t write the reviews. I just copy and paste ’em. And that’s a pretty dang good way to describe “Chimera”. You’ve heard of Merlot for Cab-lovers, right? I wouldn’t say this strong arms your better Cabs, but it has a lot to offer.

While a different source supplied this Merlot, both Chimera and Griffin hail from the same vineyard. Which must, for obvious reasons, remain unnamed.

On the far edge of the Oak Knoll AVA where the elevation starts climbing upward there’s a small family farming the same land that was planted ages ago. A name that’s written into Napa’s oldest history. This hidden secret vineyard supplies fruit to a handful of producers like Darioush, Dakota Shy and William & Mary. From our source it helps power their $150+ Right Bank style blend that pulls 96+ every year.

The Malbec came from an equally venerable “know someone” kinda place in Coombsville. And the Cabernet, same deal. Impeccable stuff, all of it. Bobby took the Merlot down to 75% of the final blend, anchoring it with extra layers of fruit from the Malbec and backbone and tannin from the Cabernet. All in a restrained style.

It’s purple-garnet in the glass and doling out red and black cherry, blueberry and plum. With a more subtle vanilla-wafter or mocha latte type thing and an overall freshness and a long, savory finish. And man, it’s just SO incredibly, super, duper SOFT. Incredible…minutes after opening. As far as drinkability goes, I think you can enjoy this now through the next five years with ease and from then on deep into the next decade.

This will be another popular re-buy by the case.

94 Points – Decanter 

“Positively one of the darkest, boldest, most muscular Merlots you may yet stain your wine glass with. It is brooding, built on blackberry, black cherry, and cassis fruit, dusty mineral notes, and chewy tannins underscoring plummy fruit, pie spices, cedarwood notes, and chocolate, with perfumed rose petals and a long, mineral-scented, medium- to full-bodied finish.”