The large-scaled 1997 Grand Merlot is a wine of extraordinary extraction. This exotic, full-bodied, powerful Merlot displays lavish quantities of toasty French oak. Aged for 39 months in what appears to be all new barrels prior to bottling, it is a layered, thick, juicy effort with notes of coffee, chocolate, black cherries, liqueur, spice box, and new oak in addition to enormous quantities of extract, glycerin, and richness. The alcohol is a lofty 15.3%, reflecting Irvine's predilection to pick extremely ripe. It gives every indication of aging for a decade or more, but I must say that a mini-vertical sponsored by the importer suggested this is a wine that really does not benefit from cellaring. I would opt for drinking this wine in its first 3-5 years of life, despite a style that suggests longevity.Importer: Epicurean Wine, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 923-1376
