*** Chez Ray Merlot, CA, 2008

Now we'll give a try to the Chez Ray Merlot, made from fresh California grapes.  Description of the associated winemaking for the 2008 vintage (coded M8) is here.

In the glass: Chez Ray Merlot shows as in medium deep red in the glass, it never gets opaque. 

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, this purebred young merlot shows a fleshy, slightly meaty, mid-red berry nose.

On the palate: The first elements on the palate area still-young, yeasty red berry overtone, then bearing down with stronger black walnut, smoke and slashing alcohol tones.  Wants to settle down a bit still.

In summary: Overall, potential for being solid base in a blended mix.  Rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale. 


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** Chez Ray Cabernet Franc, 2004, Lodi, CA

Original Review, January, 2009: The Chez Ray Cabernet Franc, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.

In the glass, the cab franc is a light ruby, slightly brick red/pink. Think pinot noir with a couple of years.

Aromas have a strong cork/woody element, which I recognize from a particular brand of agglomerated cork I used for some bottles in these vintages. Once you sniff past that, you get to a bright, light fruit.

On the palate, a bright, even middle of red cherry trickles down the sides of your mouth carried in light acids. The woody/cork taint hangs its tattered cloth over the otherwise light, sweet, acidic blend. Two stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale. Might be a plus in there with a different cork. Can't see it hitting three stars though - the stuffing just doesn't seem to be there in the underlying fruit.
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Updated review, almost a year and a half later, June, 2010: muddy mid red in the glass.  Still that agglomerated cork aroma, with fruit.  Bright red cherry, light wood, light cork.  I'll hold at two stars.