This Merlot opens with a big berry nose and is concentrated, lush and rich, bursting into vanilla cream midway through, ending with a strong note of toffee. Would pair well with any number of midweek meals, from roast chicken to tacos.——V.B.(12/31/2011)—— 87

Sweet in fruit and softly simple, with jammy berry, cherry, cocoa and oak flavors. ——S.H.(12/1/2009)—— 83

Definitely on the ripe, hot side, with blackberry flavors veering all the way into shrivelled raisins. With lots of new oak, the wine is fully dry, but at the cost of very high alcohol, 15.6%, which gives the palate a Port-like burn.——S.H.(9/1/2007)—— 83