A little sharp and angular, in the way of rustic wines, but with plenty of ripe fruit that lots of people will enjoy. Shows jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries, chocolate and sweet charred oak, wrapped into firm, velvety tannins.——S.H.(12/1/2008)—— 86

Clos du Bois over the years has not produced great Merlot, but that may be changing, to judge from this wine, their best Merlot ever. It’s lush and dry, with ripe blackberry and cherry pie filling and dark chocolate flavors. Yet it’s not simple, offering layers of herbs, spices and oak and a good interplay of acids and tannins. ——S.H.(2/1/2007)—— 90