On Dec 7, 2:57�am, cwdjrxyz > wrote:
> The Ch. Souverain Alexander Valley Merlot 1992 was stored properly
> since release and had no cork or other issues. The color is still deep
> with only little evidence of age around the rim. The wine is fully
> ready, but likely will hold fairly well. It does taste and smell
> somewhat like a top French Merlot such as Petrus and a few vineyards
> close to it that produce wine from pure or nearly pure Merlot grapes.
> However it is a much smaller, much less intense, and less complex wine
> than the mentioned French Merlot stars.
>
> I never was very interested in the California Merlot wine craze
> several few years ago, and most of the few I tasted did nothing to
> make me want to buy many more. This wine got a very favorable review,
> I believe in the Underground Wine Letter, and was rated 18/20 and was
> thought to be age worthy. I drank the first of 2 bottles after a few
> years, and decided it needed much more age to satisfy my taste.
> Fortunately the second bottle reported here developed very well with
> age.

I have a three litre of this in my cellar and I was going to open it
this holiday season so thanks for the note!