Tight, sharp, and toasty, this thick and compact wine shows plenty of cherry fruit wrapped in chocolaty oak. It hints at toast and cracker, but never quite breaks through into the complexity that is promised by the first whiff or two. ——P.G.(5/1/2011)—— 89

This pure varietal blend of Merlot opens fragrantly with scents of black raspberry, black cherry, plum and smoke. Very young, tight and firmly packed, it’s a wine that is already showing finesse and a pleasing tension between the tart fruit and the toasty, mocha-flavored oak. Given time in the bottle, it may well prove to be one of the best-aging Beresan Merlots ever made.——P.G.(5/1/2009)—— 90

This is 100% varietal, a 50-50 blend from Waliser and Candy Mountain vineyards. A beautiful color, deep purple, leads into a substantial Merlot with smooth berry flavors. Highlight hints of soy and balsamic are streaked into the midpalate, and the wine sails into a dark, smoky finish, which lasts a minute or longer, sending out a rainbow of flavors suggesting stone fruits and even a bit of papaya.——P.G.(3/1/2008)—— 91