The 2009 Merlot is an attractive, fleshy wine graced with expressive dark red fruit, flowers, sweet spices and licorice. The wine reveals gorgeous radiance and a supple, inviting personality ideally suited to drinking over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. Shafer’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select gets the lion’s share of the attention here, but the rest of the wines also deserve serious consideration. I have been especially impressed with the Syrah-based Relentless on my last two visits here. Tel. (707) 944-2877

Supple, elegant and beautifully focused, with aromas of red currant and toasty vanilla that lead to ripe but sleek and layered flavors of black cherry, cinnamon and black tea. Tannins sneak in on the finish. Drink now through 2017. 7,900 cases made. –TF