The 2007 Merlot, which comes from both Napa and Sonoma fruit (the Pride Mountain vineyards are split by the county line), exhibits a dense purple color as well as abundant chocolate and berry fruit notes, medium to full body, and great freshness, length, and depth. It is a heady, succulent style of Merlot to drink over the next 7-10 years. Although this is a Napa report, I took the liberty of including the Pride Mountain Sonoma bottlings since their wines tend to be primarily Bordeaux varietals rather than the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, etc. that will be covered in the Sonoma report. My apologies to subscribers and the winery for some mistakes I made last year in issue #180, when I listed 2006 instead of 2005 for the Reserve and Vintner's Select wines. This is the strongest portfolio of Pride Mountain wines that has been made under the new winemaker, Sally Johnston, who replaced Bob Foley several years ago. Tel. (707) 963-4949; Fax (707) 963-6039

Unusually rich and concentrated for a Merlot. Shows classic structure, with firm, ripe tannins and good acidity, although the oak sticks out. A small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon adds a blackberry depth to the cherries and raspberries. Decant if you drink now, but better to cellar until mid-2010.——S.H.(5/1/2010)—— 91