11% Merlot. If starting out in a curious direction with elements of dried leaves and bacon more evident than a bare wisp of ill-defined fruit in the nose, this bottling finds its varietal footing once in the mouth and shows solid cherry and cassis flavors set against a nice bit of oak. Never flashy, but fairly constant and balanced from front to back, the wine wins recommendation despite its quirky aromatic beginnings and has a fair chance of moving ahead in the rankings if allowed some four or f...

Rating for United States-California: 92 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: unpredictable<br/>

drank 2000 year