2016 Merlot Gundlach-Bundshu Vineyards

What’s in a name?  In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet yearns for her lover, Romeo. In the throws of true love, she poisons herself.  Alexander Graham Bell shouted out from his laboratory, “Watson! Come here!” Quickly arriving, Dr. Watson discovered the inventor spilled acid on himself.  General George Armstrong Custer ordered his quartermaster to leave the Gatling guns and light cannon in the armory. Then, he lead his troops toward Little Big Horn in Montana territory. Gundlach-Bundschu makes good wines, and I can buy their name product with reasonable confidence. But not this ’16 Merlot, because it didn’t taste or act like a traditional Merlot. The mellow smoothness was lacking. The nose gave off heavy Tobacco and smoke. Tastings were heavy, almost sticking to the tongue& mouth. Maybe it was how & where this single bottle was stored. Although, there was no corkage. This wine was full bodies with ripe tannins…. Sorry, but I was disappointed by it all.