Merlot can be sumptuous in the hands of Bordeaux and Tuscan winemakers, but outside those areas, the failures outnumber the successes by tenfold (a conservative guess). Therefore, it is surprising to find a Merlot that is not thin, acidic, vegetal, or unpleasant. La Prendina's 1998 Merlot possesses good fruit, depth, density, and abundant berry/spice characteristics. It is hard to believe it is all tank-fermented and aged. Drink this juicy, medium-weight, ripe Merlot over the next several years. Importer: Seth Allen, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700