Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2001

Deep, dense red ruby color. Complex and attractive nose of blackberries and cherries. Notes of black chocolate, black pepper and toast. This wine has a full palate with explosive richness, fleshy cassis and black cherry fruit, and nicely, integrated oak. Smooth tannins give this vintage of Cuvee Alexandre Merlot a solid and well-structured frame, finishing with character. The wine can be enjoyed now, but will gain in complexity and harmony with appropriate cellaring.

"Heavy on the toast, with bacon and vanilla dominating the jammy raspberry and blackberry fruit. It's fleshy and ripe, with an alluring dark chocolate finish, but the fruit needs to emerge more. Try short-term cellaring. Best from 2003 through 2005." - Wine Spectator