The untrendiness of Merlot is really reflected by this wine. With only one-third as many cases produced as the Cabernet Sauvignon and a higher proportion of new French oak (38% versus 27%), the 2020 Merlot sells for just two-thirds the price. Yet it's a solid effort, with classy hints of pencil shavings framing black cherry fruit. Juicy, fun and easy to drink, it's medium to full-bodied and velvety-textured, with ample length on the finish.

The 2019 Merlot offers up scents of cherry tomato and Bing cherries on the nose, while it comes across as rather tart and tannic on the medium to full-bodied palate. It's far from being my favorite offering from this winery, but as a steakhouse red-wine option, it'll do just fine.

Composed of 96% Merlot and 4% Petite Sirah, the 2017 Merlot was aged for 19 months in French oak, 35% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it offers open-knit, expressive notes of baked plums, boysenberries and fruitcake with touches of hoisin, clove oil and bouquet garni. The soft, satiny, medium-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, lifted by a lively line of freshness and finishing satisfyingly spicy. 16,000 cases were made.

The 2016 Merlot is a blend of 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petite Sirah. Deep garnet-purple colored, it features bold notes of baked plums, Black Forest cake and blackberry pie with touches of star anise, camphor, wild sage and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruit flavors, a velvety texture and just enough freshness, finishing with a minty kick. 38,700 cases were made.

There are 25,000 cases of the 2012 Merlot, a blend of 89% Merlot and the rest small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. It exhibits loads of chocolaty, berry fruit, silky tannins, medium body, and a lovely, lush texture. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.