Recent Ferrari-Carano Merlots have not exhibited the herbal, vegetal character that plagued this winery's first Merlot releases. The 1993 Merlot is a larger-scaled wine than the 1992. It is made from 89% Merlot and the rest Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The wine offers a purple/ruby color, great fruit and intensity, plenty of alcohol and glycerin, full body, and a decadent, lavishly rich, seductive style that is hard to ignore. It should drink well for at least a decade. One of the bright shining success stories of California, Ferrari-Carano has a brilliant future. Tel. (707) 433-6700