1999 party pt 2. Frank family reserve merlot

On the nose, this immerses you in an old, dimly lit library hidden in a cold, damp cellar. You catch a mix of worn leather, moss, and a subtle hint of old purses tucked away for decades with old hard candies.

Beneath that, there’s the scent of overripe blueberries and blackberries, along with a bit of raw vanilla and oak. There’s some heat on the nose on opening—likely thanks to its nearly 15% ABV—but it’s not overwhelming.

Taking a sip, it's a smooth mid-palate of ripe blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries, backed by a gentle peppery spice that adds a little edge. Notes of graphite, blackcurrants, green pepper, and a bit of fruit leather round out the flavor profile. The tannins have really mellowed, making for a more relaxed texture.

It started off pretty tight when first opened, but after a double decant it began to stretch its legs, showing off more layers and complexity. Given a bit of time and patience, this wine settles into itself where I'm happy to sit on my other bottle for a few years still. Cork was barely saturated and came out very clean.