Traveling a more conventional varietal path than its very well-made but more tightly wound sibling hailing from Howell Mountain, this plush, downright opulent Merlot simply oozes with juicy, optimally ripened black cherry fruit, and its very generous appointment of sweet oak in no way distracts from its grape-driven main message. It is blessed with far more than just another showy display of ripeness and oak, and it is surprisingly well-balanced beneath its baby fat with the structure to hold up ...