This fine winery has an enviable track record. Nothing that emerges from Matanzas Creek is less than excellent, with their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot among the finest California can produce. Despite the winery's success with white wines, most red wine drinkers think of Matanzas Creek as one of California's benchmark Merlot producers. The Merlot, which is the winery's biggest, richest, most concentrated wine, is blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. In most vintages, the wine contains 90% Merlot and is aged in 55%-75% new French oak casks. About half of the Merlot grapes come from the Matanzas Creek estate vineyard and the rest from the well-known Carneros vineyard of Sangiacomo. The 1993 Merlot exhibits a deep, saturated purple color, a smoky, black-cherry, and vanillin-scented nose, a wonderfully sweet entry on the palate, and a rich, full-bodied, tarry, well-balanced finish. No, it is not as exotic or concentrated as the 1992, but it has nothing to be ashamed of either. It should drink well for 12-15 years. Tel. (707) 528-6464; Fax (707) 571-0156