Freaky Friday

the NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine, New Mexico is good, dry and has a lovely nose of candied cherries. Not spectacular, but I'm always happy to try something from the great sparkling wine estate. The 2004 Cakebread Merlot was... I know many people love Cakebread... I am usually a fan of their Merlot (in my mind, the best wine they make), and that's about it. I'm not a fan of the 04. It just came off as completely unbalanced with way too much alcohol and little fruit (a mostly stemmy-cocoa powder nose). Not my favorite at all... wouldn't order it, don't recommend it.