The 2006 Merlot Beckstoffer Las Amigas Vineyard is somewhat compact, but it reveals lots of damp earth, chocolate, cherry, plum, and coffee bean aromas and flavors. It offers good fruit on the attack as well as medium body, but it narrows out in the finish. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. Owned by the huge firm of Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, Provenance's wines have not come back as strongly as those of the nearly historic winery they also own, Beaulieu Vineyards.Tel. (707) 968-3633

A little unbalanced, with some overripe, pruny flavors and heat from high alcohol. The lack of fruity richness accentuates the tannins. Drink up. ——S.H.(11/15/2008)—— 84

On the plus side is terrifically ripe fruit, a blast of cherries, raspberries and cola, accented by flashy oak. On the minus is a syrupy, sweet and sour finish.——S.H.(11/1/2007)—— 84