The 1992 Merlot Reserve Estate is a typical St. Francis wine - lavishly oaked, very ripe, rich, and hedonistic. Its low acidity, and rich black-cherry, mocha, and olive-tinged aromas and flavors that have been boldly wooded make for an ostentatiously styled wine. This plump, lush Merlot should drink well for 5-6 years. St. Francis has again made bold, flamboyantly-styled wines with high levels of toasty oak, as well as gobs of rich fruit. The wines possess more structure than may be initially apparent, as I kept all five wines reviewed in this segment open and uncorked for 48-hours, and there was no oxidation whatsoever. Tel. (707) 833-4666