2005 Parsonage Merlot Estate Carmel Valley
This is the breakthrough vintage for the Parsonage estate Merlot and maybe the dark horse of the vintage! I was impressed with the dark inky color and perfume that has all ready come together in this wine. The mouth is very full and complex with lush cherry, plum and dark berry fruits. The oak is well infused and adds sweet vanilla and mocha notes. Not much of this Merlot will be produced, so be sure to add it on your offering if your lucky enough to be on the winery mailing list, this is not a Merlot to be overlooked! 92 Points, grapelive
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2005 Parsonage Syrah Estate Carmel Valley
Syrah has always been a winner here and this rises to the next level, as the vines mature on the estate lots more underlying flavor and complexity shows through. This vintage is the cleanest and more defined yet, with Blueberry, spice, plum, cassis and mineral all in sharp focus. This wine will be a steal on release, so don’t be shy and get on their list today! Added touches of smoke and game give a hint to its Syrah intensity and class. 93 Points, grapelive
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2005 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Carmel Valley
Cabernet did really well here in 2005 and I think it is showing much more character as well, I think the grape is star here and it seems to be so correct that I have a hard time finding any flaws! Pure classic fruits and depth make this vintage remarkable and especially noteworthy. Mixed black and red berry, plum, currants, cassis and chewy tannins scream Cabernet and don’t let up. The complex underbrush, herb and tobacco notes are very subtle and the hints of licorice, vanilla and cranberry are lovely. 93 Points, grapelive
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2005 Parsonage Syrah Reserve “Carmel Stone” Estate Carmel Valley
Coming off the upper block of the hillside this Syrah is jet black and inky dark, same as last year, but there’s even more going on and it seems much more pure. So in fact an awesome wine just got even better, and honestly I was surprised, because I loved the 2004! I got lost on the nose alone, the violets and herbal spices are amazing and beautiful. Fantastic balance and depth make you think Cote-Rotie, but it is truly a wine of its own place. Sweet boysenberry, cherry, plum and wild mountain berry fruit, white pepper and liqueur all come at you in perfect layers. 96 Points, grapelive
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2005 Parsonage Syrah “Cuvee Rocco” Reserve Estate (Special Barrel Selection), Carmel Valley
This special barrel selection takes the darkest and most intense Syrah and it shows an added intensity and thickness throughout. Jet black and powerful now with ripe tannins, I might be going out on a limb here, but this maybe be the greatest expression of Syrah from Carmel Valley ever produced! The fruit is all about the dark side, with blackberry, blueberry and savory black currants leading the way, but this wine still retains tangy acidity that keeps it all flowing nicely. It is all ready dense and chewy even though it still will fill out even more, giving me reason to call it a blockbuster! 97 Points, grapelive
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2005 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Estate, Carmel Valley
Every vintage just gets better here, and 2005 looks set to take the throne as the Parsonage king wine. Nothing in this area even comes close to this wine, it is a freak of nature and I can only compare it to Napa and Pauillac in its style and richness, then again it just might even be better! Bill Parsons finds it hard to take in, but he is a man living the dream, as his wines rank as world class or even world-beaters! The 05 Reserve Cab is utterly fantastic with blackberry jam, cassis, currants and plum fruit bursting at the seams, it is almost more impressive for the depth and balance that is has! Everything is in its place and the wine is so focused and defined it can’t help but be a classic. 98 Points, grapelive
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2005 Parsonage “Cuvee Bixby” Reserve Petit Verdot Estate, Carmel Valley
I tasted the blend in separate barrels, starting with the Petit Verdot with will make up the majority in this unique wine. This Bordeaux blend leans on the rare Petit Verdot grape, which has a darker color and deeper perfume than the other Bordeaux grapes. Though for some reason, here in Carmel Valley the grape also has a rich fullness and character that is doesn’t usually achieve in Bordeaux proper. This vintage shows crème de cassis, bright sweet flowers, a massive body and lush tannins. The subtle briar, tobacco and spice all add up to pure joy. The final blend should be about 75-80% Petit Verdot and then polished off with some of the reserve Cabernet and maybe a touch of the remarkable Merlot fruit this year. When I tasted the selected barrels of Petit Verdot there was some set aside for a new limited wine the “Cuvee Bixby” that is named for the latest edition the clan and I can tell you nothing is spared in making this the finest wine possible. As much as I can tell this special blend will surpass the amazing 2003 and 2004 vintages and maybe become one of the most sought after wines of 2005! *After tasting the final bottled version, I can tell you it all come together in near perfection, This is an awesome wine that will get better with some age as well. 96+ Points, grapelive
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Parsonage Village Vineyard
www.parsonagewine.com