I was very impressed with the 2004 Merlot, a wine that offers incredible quality for a Northern Italian red at this price. This full-bodied wine flows with gorgeous dark red cherries, earthiness, minerals and sweet herbs, showing tons of flavor and style. Sant’Elena gives this entry-level Merlot 18 months in neutral large oak. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011. Importer Dominic Nocerino is making interesting wines at his Sant’Elena estate in Friuli. These are the most consistent wines I have yet tasted from this property.Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907