By way of background: Castillo de Monjardin Deyo Merlot is from Navarra, Spain, and is finished with a full year in new French oak. The 2006 vintage is finished at 14% alcohol.
Original Tasting and Review, June, 2010:
In the glass: Monjardin Merlot shows as deep magenta and purple in the glass, opaque to within a half inch of the edge. On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, this Crianza merlot brings a bold, deep, eucalyptus-tinged black fruit aroma straight into your nostrils, pure and sweet. As a merlot, it represents the closest aroma I have experienced to the richest McLaren Vale syrahs in a non-syrah varietal. And yet its penetrating purity is still unique. Quite intriguing.
On the palate: The first elements on the palate are a round and pure ripe blackberry middle, with a full alcohol lift. Hotter and brighter on the palate than the aromas would suggest, but with a silky soul.
In summary: Overall, a powerful wine with a seductively-perfumed entry. Rates three full stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale. I still can't get over that awesome nose! Decent value too.
Following a long decant, half a day in partially filled bottle: The aroma has grown slightly muted, trading some of the eucalyptus for overtones of stewed mixed vegetables. Still with a fruit core. On the palate, the alcohol has folded in, creating a full middle red wine experience, with some underlying complexity.
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Updated review, almost two years later, April, 2012: Color and unique aroma remain entirely consistent. A light and bright middle pays off with significant eucalyptus on the palate, but with a more hollow middle than might be expected. Crispy finish.
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