An earthy style of Merlot, with herb, tobacco and mint flavors bracketing the cherries and cola. It’s a dry, brisk wine, with firm tannins to drink now.——S.H.(11/1/2011)—— 87

You’ll find tons of blackberry, cherry, raspberry, orange zest, chocolate and spice flavors in this dry wine, but it’s no mere fruit store. With polished tannins and fine Carneros acidity, it achieves an elegant balance. Drink now.——S.H.(7/1/2009)—— 90

You’ll want to air this wine for a while to let it soften, because right out of the bottle, it’s tough and gritty in tannins. As it warms up, the blackberry, cherry, dark chocolate and smoky oak flavors are coaxed out, although the structure remains firm. Something about it suggests lamb and rosemary. ——S.H.(11/1/2008)—— 90

The vintage was not only a good one for Cabernet, it also made good Merlot in the North Coast. In Carneros, it produced wines that were ripe and opulent, yet balanced and dry, and this one is a winner. Juicy and fruit-forward, it has finely-grained tannins that give it structure and finesse. ——S.H.(5/1/2007)—— 90