TN 2005 Robert Foley Merlot

Jack_Bulkin · June 9, 2009, 1:22am

An atypical Robert Foley. The oak is not prevalent at all. Sweet palate of dense chocolate covered cherries, loamy earth and spice. Slight warmth on the finish due I am sure to its youth. Medium bodied and a pleasant 25 second finish.

mike.m · June 9, 2009, 1:34am

I had the 04 from Magnum a month ago and don’t remember too much oak, which I usually get from these wines. Of course it was opened after 22 other bottles, so I may not have the clearest memory.

B_Stucker · June 9, 2009, 2:08pm

Thanks for the note Jack,

I have had both the 05 and 06 and both were too young when I had them. Similar flavor notes to your description, but they were just too tight and in need of time to unwind when I had them.

I thought 2005 was the first year for the Foley Merlot?

Could the underlined part of your post explain this or did you have a bottle not widely released?

mike.m · June 9, 2009, 3:21pm

D’oh! Good catch Bruce. It was the Pride merlot 04 Mag. I’m an idiot! Sorry

Bud_Carey · June 9, 2009, 3:41pm

Robert Foley and Switchback Ridge have replaced Pride as my ‘merlot of choice’.

B_Stucker · June 9, 2009, 3:48pm

No problem. It makes you fit in with the rest of us.

Dave_Morris · June 9, 2009, 4:02pm

That could be a possibilty for me if they were both as readily available as Pride. Having fewer of the Foley merlots I just don’t have the opportunty to open them as often. As of now, though, I have plenty of Pride merlot that I am still very much enjoying. Just had a mag of the 2003 over the weekend and it was very good. The Pride merlots I’ve opened have always been a crowd favorite.

Bud_Carey · June 9, 2009, 7:44pm

I don’t dislike the Prides (I still have a couple of mags), but at the same (or slightly lower) price point,
I think the Foley is a better wine. I’ve been through over a case of the 05s, and have yet to be disappointed.