Gordon Brothers 2005 Merlot Columbia Valley

Brought this to dinner at an Italian restaurant, Celestino, as corkage was $10. This bottle was in the cellar for a few years, and then went on a somewhat hot car ride from N Cal to S Cal, where we used of the A/C off and on. It was lugged up to the hotel room and then lugged to the restaurant a day later.

Wow. Rich, lucious blueberry and ripe blackberry from the first sip to the end of the bottle. Hints of coffee and toffee and a touch of earthiness that went away after 15 minutes. Minimal acidity and tannins. WS gave this $15 bottle a 91, but I disagree. My score: 93.

One of the nicest bottles I've had lately.