Grown on Spring Mountain, this is front-loaded in young, primary fruit character, and shows firm, fresh tannins that require aging. There aren’t many Merlots that will benefit from four to eight years in the cellar like this one. It’s stuffed with vibrant black cherry, blackberry and spicy cola flavors, and has the balanced integrity of a fine, ageworthy Napa red. ——S.H.(3/1/2007)—— 92