The 2009 Merlot is a gorgeous, fleshy wine laced with expressive dark red berries, mocha, spices and licorice. It shows lovely balance and a juicy, approachable personality best suited for drinking over the next few years. The intensity of the fruit fleshes out beautifully on the expansive finish. Winemaker Marcia Monahan added 2% Carmenere to the blend to give the wine additional mid-palate depth, which certainly seems to have worked. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. I was very impressed with the wines I tasted from Matanzas Creek and winemaker Marcia Monahan. Tel. (800) 590-6464