Clean and properly varietal, but it’s a rustic, country-style wine with some rough edges. ——S.H.(12/15/2006)—— 80

Outside of the vineyard, wines like this are what built the company’s production to reach 12 million cases per year. Plump and low in acid, with baked black-cherry flavors accented by earth and dried herbs, it just may be the Merlot poured by the glass at your neighborhood hangout.——W.E.(8/1/2006)—— 84

Wine in a box, and a great value for its succulent flavors of sweet black cherries, at the equivalent of $4.50 a bottle. This soft, friendly wine has a voluptuous texture and a spicy finish. ——S.H.(5/1/2004)—— 86

Slightly sweet, but with varietally correct flavors, this soft and supple wine again proves that a simple and inexpensive wine does not have to lack character. Cherry, cocoa and cola flavors, and a supple, plummy texture ensure that it actually tastes like a Merlot. The front-end sweetness yields to a slightly tart finish, but it’s clean all the way.——W.E.(9/1/2000)—— 83