Wow, what a wine. Tremendous, focused and intense. This Merlot is massive in cassis and black currant flavors, and very well-oaked. Most notable are the tannins. They’re powerful and insistent, yet so smooth, so finely knit that they’re totally drinkable now, although you may want to give the wine until 2006 to settle down.——S.H.(12/1/2005)—— 93