While I generally like and sometimes even love the Cobos wines, this Merlot underwhelms. The nose is reedy and stemmy, with earthy, herbal raspberry aromas. In the mouth, it’s scratchy and spicy, with herbal berry fruit leading to a mildly bitter finish. Better than in the past, but still a compromised wine due to its minty, green characteristics.——M.S.(5/1/2011)—— 84