MERLOT

Bianchi Winery 2005 Smoot Vineyards Merlot / Paso Robles An intense jammy nose of ripe cherries, dark berries and plums, this meaty, full flavored red greets the palate with a firm, supple mouth feel and ripe tannins. Savor the first sip, as this complex merlot unfolds into a long finish with hints of vanilla, cloves and earthy minerals. Oh, what a feast to have with a sizzling, dry aged rib eye charred to perfection on the grill. This wine is from their Signature collection, aged 19 months to perfection in French and American oak, and guaranteed to cellar well..

Burrell School Vineyards 2005 “Honor Roll" Merlot / Santa Cruz Mountains Estate grown fruit was aged in French oak for 24 months for this vintage. The resulting wine is big with bold, deep flavors. Allowed to unwrap in a glass, fruit layers of black cherry and plum flow into floral notes, with subtle hints of cocoa as well as vanilla rounding out the palate. Full flavored and well structured, this wine would stand up nicely to a cumin crusted lamb loin. 575 cases were produced. Score: 87

Carmenet Dynamite Merlot 1997 North Coast Moon Mountain (Address: 2750 Las Amigas Road, Napa, CA 94559, 707-226-9991) Deep colors and foreword nose lead to intense development of color and flavor...offering up lush ripe cherry flavors and a deep rounded finish. While this wine is delicious to drink now, it will continue to improve in character and richness as it ages in the future. Retail: 19.50

Chateau Julien 2005 3.2 Ton Merlot / Monterey County A lush, wet winter and modified pruning method helped bring an early and full canopy development for all the varietals. Prime Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from the Estate Vineyard were then aged in the finest French oak for thirty months. The resulting wine is a bold violet with a full bouquet of ripe cherry, raspberry, pepper, vanilla, and spice. Solid tannins and a bright finish give the wine a full, yet supple character, and a good structure gives it great potential for aging. Score: 84

Domenico 2006 Orange Muscat / Amador Valley Fermented slowly at cool temperatures, this a smooth, markedly sweet dessert wine. From its soft golden hue, a bouquet of orange blossom, cinnamon, clove, and hazelnut unfolds when a glass is swirled and sipped. Enjoy this wine on its own, with your favorite fresh fruit torte, or a coconut-cream pie. Only 265 half-bottle cases were produced, so try one before they run out. Score: 84

Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, Merlot 2006 This Merlot is a blend of fruit from several individual vineyard lots, with grapes grown on the Estate Vineyard, as well as by independent growers. The standout quality of the fruit required only small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot for complexity. Though still a young wine, lush aromas of plum, raspberry, and boysenberry pour from the ruby-purple hue, with nuances of earth and spice lingering in the background. Silky smooth tannins carry overtones of red plums and bing cherry, accented by the soft touch of oak. Picture the rich, fertile soils of the Napa Valley as the wines closes with a lingering dusty finish. Another classic Duckhorn wine!

Duckhorn Vineyards, Estate Grown, Napa Valley, Merlot 2005 Carrying on over 25 years of tradition, Duckhorn continues to craft fine wines, using only the lots which show the true character of the winery. A blend of predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 20 months in French oak, this luscious wine releases ripe plum and cherry aromas, with complex notes of cloves, leather, and earth out of a freshly swirled glass. Close your eyes and let velvet smooth tannins carry bright cherry and dark berry flavor over the palate, with subtle herbaceous notes adding a very nice depth. Open a bottle with an elegant cheese appetizer, and be sure to stock one or two in the cellar. This is a wine that will age well!

Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, Merlot 2005 / Three Palms Vineyard Located on the northeast side of the Napa Valley, the Three Palms Vineyard's soil is rocky and well drained, with the stones absorbing much of the sun's heat. The fruit from the vineyard has been producing full-bodied wines, showing all the unique elements of the terroir since 1978. This 2005 vintage is no exception, blending Merlot with accents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Admire the deep ruby-purple hue, before pausing to fill your senses with the rich nose of cherry and vanilla, with hints of oak. On the palate, the soft, chewy structure carries sweet cherry, boysenberry, and orange spice that finishes with lingering notes of cedar and earth. Pair this lovely Merlot with game dishes or a tender cut of beef and enjoy.

Estancia 2006 Merlot / Central Coast CSourced from fruit grown in Monterey County, as well as Paso Robles, and aged for fifteen months in French and American oak, this Estancia Merlot is a pleasing wine with a fruit driven character and supple tannins. When sipped, cherry and plum dominate the palate, with notes of chocolate and coffee lingering at its finish. Pair with an indulgent dark chocolate mousse and enjoy. Score: 84

Hunt Cellars 2003 Unforgettable Merlot / Paso Robles A deep fruit forward, perfume nose, so well balanced, lovely. Luscious, dark ripe fruits blend with mushroom, cigar box, smokey oak and almonds to bring you a finish that lingers and invites, begs for more. Warm memories stay at the back of the throat, with a smooth finish at the end urging you to start over, drink moreÖ... a work of art. Aptly named. You can drink this one alone, but always good with smoked almonds, creamy cheeses, and ohÖÖ.. everything else.

Loma Prieta Winery 2005 Merlot / Santa Cruz Mountains As a small production winery, only 61 cases of this mountain-grown Merlot were produced. Swirling a glass releases a full bouquet of cherry, raspberry, burnt tobacco leaves, and earthy notes. On the palate, the red berries return with hints of black olive, spice, oak, and menthol. Grill up some tasty lamb kabobs with rosemary pepper and open a bottle to enjoy. Score: n/a

LunaVineyards 1997 Merlot Napa Valley (Address: 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, 707-255-5862 www.lunavineyards.com) Dark ruby red with the aroma of rich black fruits, coca, and vanilla. Flavorful, jammy blackberries, and cocoa create a long full finish. Retail: 28.00

Manzoni 2006 Santa Lucia Chardonnay / Santa Lucia Highlands Foggy mornings, moderate afternoons, and cool evenings are trademarks of the Lucia Highlands. After a late October harvest, French Oak and stainless steal were used for fermentation. The resulting wine has a soft golden hue that releases deep aromas of tropical fruit, with caramel and yeasty notes lingering around the edges. When sipped slowly, pineapple, pear, and a touch of honey drift over the palate, finishing with a hint of oak. Medium-bodied, with a nice acidity, this wine rates well in terms of drinkability. Try it with sole baked in a creamy butter sauce.

Merlot Mazzocco Vineyards 1996 Dry Creek Valley Merlot Moon Mountain (Address: 1400 Lytton Springs Rd., P.O. Box, Healdsburg, CA 95448, 707-433-9035) Dark, inky color comes forward, the nose is alive with numerous influences; cedar, jammy scent intertwined with hints of toasty oak. Generous offerings of cranberry fruit in the mouth followed by lush raspberry pie flavors linger on to a smooth clean finish. A nice balance of soft, if not under stated, tannins and hints of tobacco make this wine very drinkable now. Retail: $20.00

Organic Wine Works 2007 Maverick Merlot / California Swirling a glass releases a powerful nose with heavily perfumed floral tones mingling amongst chemical and mineral notes. A sleek wine without heavy tannins, the mouthfeel is quite smooth. Red berry flavors along with gamy notes flow into hints of coffee and minerals, which give the wine a kind, soft finish. Score: n/a

Pessagno Winery 2006 Intrinity Chardonnay / Santa Lucia Highlands Produced from fruit grown throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands, the Intrinity Chardonnay represents winemaker Steve Pessagno's finest effort for the varietal, the name signifying the endless pursuit of lofty goals. When held up to sunlight, the wine glows with a soft golden hue. A sip brings ripe flavors of crisp pear and tart apple, which flow into deeper notes of caramel and smoke. A rich wine, with nice depth, it would pair nicely with a fresh pesto and chicken pasta salad. Only 396 cases were produced..

Sterling Vintners Collection 1997 Merlot Moon Mountain (Address: P.O. Box 500 , Rutherford,CA 94573, 707-942-3300) The wine shows inviting ruby-red color with a nose of plum and berry fruit. Ripe, tight, full, complex.

Ratings Key: 96 — 100 Spectacular 92 — 95 Outstanding 89 — 91 Great 85 — 88 Good 81 — 84 Solid