Soft and sweet in Porty cherry, chocolate and raisin flavors, with a burn from high alcohol. ——S.H.(12/1/2010)—— 82

The winery has an outstanding track record with Oregon varieties. Now that they’ve moved southward, the results are average. Their first Napa Merlot is rich and well-structured, but kind of sweet and simple in vanilla-flavored cherries, currants and black raspberries, with a chocolate edge. The alcohol level, in the mid-15s, is a problem.——S.H.(6/1/2008)—— 86