The 2009 Merlot Frediani Vineyards is a gorgeous wine. Juicy dark cherries, violets, licorice and mint are some of the nuances that flow across the palate in this beautifully delineated, refined wine. The estate’s Merlot shows fabulous class and tons of personality. Tobacco, flowers and mint linger on the finish. This is a mid-weight, polished style of Merlot loaded with class. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. These are two beautiful wines from Selene and winemaker Mia Klein.Tel. (707) 258-8119

A beautiful Merlot, rich and evocative. It has soft tannins and delicious flavors of red cherry jam, red currants and chocolate, accented with smoky oak. The tannins are so fine. Drink now. ——S.H.(11/1/2011)—— 89

Selene’s 2008 Merlot Frediani Vineyard possesses a dark ruby color as well as a sweet perfume of red and black fruits intermixed with white chocolate and cocoa, a lush, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and a heady finish. Drink this seductive Merlot over the next 5-6 years. It’s a shame Merlot has taken such a beating. Certainly, the poor examples have fallen by the wayside, but some good ones are still out there and readers need to pay more attention to them. It’s a world-class grape so forget the absurdity of the anti-Merlot nonsense in the movie “Sideways.”Tel. (707) 258-8119; Fax (707) 258-8132

A good wine, dry and softly tannic, with cherry, red currant, violet, cocoa and sandalwood flavors, and it has an easy-drinking quality that makes it a good companion to steak. Seems best soon for its precocious fruit.——S.H.(9/1/2010)—— 88

The well-known Mia Klein is the proprietress of this estate, and her 2007 Merlot Frediani Vineyard is a winner. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as attractive plum, licorice, and subtle smoke characteristics offered in a fleshy, medium to full-bodied, supple, seductive style. Already delicious, it should continue to evolve for another 7-8 years. Mia Klein’s proprietary blends, dedicated to her mother, are all blends of Bordeaux varietals.Tel. (707) 258-8119; Fax (707) 258-8132