1996 Gred Norman Cab-Merlot

[Drew]

I should post this under "Best Buys" but I don't think it's easily available now. Purchased case lot at $9 bucks. 1996 Greg Norman Cab-Merlot. Beautiful long elegant bottle presentation. Dark ruby-purple color. Nose of dark plums, oak, vanilla, currants and dark chocolate. Very soft, rich dark fruit, chocolate and oak. I like the over oaked style of this wine and it went great with large char-broiled slabs of beautiful pepper corn encrusted rib eye steak, baked spuds and grilled red and yellow peppers & red and yellow zucchini flavored with virgin olive oil and a touch of garlic. Desert was home made peach pie with vanilla ice cream....I'm floating now!!

Drew

[winecollector]

Yeah, you got me goin' now too! PARTY AT DREW'S HOUSE!

[winoweenie]

Way to go Drew! Howm-so-effer, you`re about 8-10 months late on this marvy juice. I made a post late last year on the hole-out the Shark made on his 1st vintage. The 97 has been on the market since Jan. and follows nicely in the same genre only with far more structure and ageability than the 96. I`ve been told the 98 will be the best yet. Enjoy! Winoweenie

[Drew]

Went back to good ol Ocean City armed with some Filet Mignon and a bottle of the 98' Greg Norman cab-merlot for dad and I to enjoy (Mom doesn't drink). Winoweenie....the 98' is definitely a teeth stainer! Very dark plum with tinges of black ruby. Closed nose at first but decanted for 1 hr. beautiful tones of dark fruit, chocolate and a smidge of oak. Plum, blackberry, hints of chocolate....silky mouth feel and very soft. If you didn't know this was 90% Cab, you could mistake it for a Merlot. My only complaint was it seemed a little too acidic. Given the wines' appearance and nose, I expected a more lush, deep flavored wine. This is not a complex wine....but it is a winner.

Drew

[winoweenie]

Drewster, the 98 is a cellar candidate! IMHO, this lil` sucker will show some speed in a couple. Methinks, 98 will bring some joy to the Reddies of the world. Thanx for keeping the asylum in check whilst I was in Vail. winoweenie

[Drew]

WW, have you tried this wine and if so did I misread it?

Drew

[winoweenie]

Verily Drew, I Have Been To The Well & Drunk! That`s why I think the 98 will be much better in 2-5 years. Has a mid-range that will come thru with some cellaring. This is IMHO the best so far from the shark. winoweenie

[Drew]

Still have half a case of the '96 and thought I should pop 1. The oak has integrated and the tannins are silky. I'd say this be at its peak. Paired nicely with steak and shrimp on the Bar-B.

Drew

[Drew]

Still have several bottles of the '96 so I popped one tonight. This one showed a little beyond it's peak...starting to fade ever so slightly. Some bricking on the color and currant flavors are forefront now. Still plenty of fine grained tannins on the finish. Very enjoyable.

Drew

[winoweenie]

You are making this hummer huff and puff. Not a long termer but IMHO designed for drinking and maybe to improve for a couple to 4. Done let them dudes go to waste. I'm sure Gred wulda' tolt youse the same tin' WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 07-08-2003).]