Keenan 2008 Spring Mountain Reserve Mernet

The 2008 Mernet Reserve is composed of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. I've never liked the name that much, but I sure love the wine. Another prodigious effort from Keenan, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as a sweet nose filled with blackberry, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with mocha and chocolate. Full-bodied and rich with an enticing suppleness as well as admirable length and texture, it should drink well for 15 or more years.

An estate-grown blend from the reserve merlot block of the Mailbox Vineyard with cabernet sauvignon from Big K, this vintage of Mernet is all minerality, all the time. That, plus red currant richness and cool mountain forest scents of pine and spearmint. It’s the gripping mineral tannins that set this wine clearly on Spring Mountain, the intensity and firmness of the structure they offer the wine. Remarkably, the fruit is there to balance and last in parallel with the tannins, holding the wine fresh. If you enjoy youthful cabernet, decant this for a delicious accompaniment to a well-aged, well-marbled steak. Or forget this in the cellar for at least ten years.

750ml