TN: 2004 Havens Reserve Merlot, Carneros

Otto_Dobre · January 21, 2010, 1:43am

Bought 3 bottles from WHWC for 17.99 per. I was full of hope as it got 91 from ST and 90 from the WS. The wine is very powerfull except for the barnyard smell/taste that drives me nuts. 84 points

B_Stucker · January 21, 2010, 2:27am

Sorry to hear that Otto, as I also dislike the barnyard flavors/aromas. I hope that the 05 that I got from WTSO does not have that character.

ToddFrench · January 21, 2010, 2:28am

Here we go with the barnyard/brett stuff again - Otto, you don’t know what you’re missin, bud!

Otto_Dobre · January 21, 2010, 2:44am

Todd, I sure wish I could sell you all my down the drain crap that you like. How can one discover Treana and then gush over crap.

Bruce, who cares what the wine taste like, you won’t be able to notice the Brett anyway.

ToddFrench · January 21, 2010, 2:47am

Daniel_Posner · January 21, 2010, 4:46am

I tasted the 2007 Havens Merlot Reserve (which will be bottled under a private label, but will have Havens corks) yesterday…the wine was awesome.

Otto_Dobre · January 21, 2010, 4:54am

Daniel, I call them as they are.

Daniel_Posner · January 21, 2010, 1:21pm

Otto,

No doubt, as do I.

I just happened to taste the 2007 this week and really enjoyed it.

G_D_y_e_r · January 22, 2010, 4:52pm

I know Havens wines occasionally have some Brett. But perhaps some of the wines with imperfect provenance that have been in the distribution chain for a while are in worse shape. Keeping them in a cool 55 degree cellar should retard or fully stunt Brett bloom. Those fully primed to go off with Brett probably will in the slightly warmer environs of a wine shop.

Anyway, there was some Brett in an '04 Bourriquot I tasted, though not so much I was put off by it. Other notes in CT didn’t find barnyard, so I’m thinking there is bottle variation with some Havens wines.