Owen Roe Dubrul Merlot 08
Owen Roe did not make an 07 Dubrul Merlot and the 2008 vintage is eagerly anticipated. Only about 120 cases were made.
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
2007 Vintage Tasting Notes
The aromas are so welcoming--cherry cream, pipe tobacco, and caramel, which guides you into the glass. A powerful gush of concentrated mixed plums and currants lavishes your palate. Tons of pure, sweet fruit, milk chocolate, and cedar spice sails on the finish. As with all the Dubrul bottlings, the 06 Merlot is a bit tight, but decanting quickly reveals the magic that David O'Reilly has found in the vineyard.
2005 Vintage Tasting Notes
Wine Spectator 93 points: "Supple, broad, and remarkably generous and deep. Sports a peppery character arounda plush core of black cherry, dark chocolate, and sweet oak flavors, mingling enticingly as the finish rolls on and on. Best from 2008 through 2014. 201 cases made." H.S.
Initially, scents of black cherry, black raspberry, sweet bing cherry, smoke, barrel toast, and that famous fresh tobacco leaf scent intermingle in the nose. Additionally, spices like cardamon and clove appear as the wine warms and opens in the glass.
Flavors reiterate the nose, starting with an initial intense sense of sweet black cherry, black raspberry, and black currant. Additionally, notes of bittersweet chocolate, barrel toast, bright bing cherry, and pie spices like cardamon, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon show intermittently. That classic fresh tobaco leaf scent manifests as a subtle flavor note, and is joined by a distinct hint of cigar smoke.
The finish leaves you with a mouthful of everything. Pure focused cherry, currant and plum fruit, exotic spices, and bittersweet chocolate last and last.
Wine Spec 92 for 2004 vintage
Owen Roe is the label David O'Reilly reserves for his best wines, made in very limited amounts. O'Reilly seeks out vineyards with old vines, located in areas where a combination of climate, location, and soil make the possibility of cultivating extremely intensely flavored grapes.
