86 Points, Connoisseurs' Guide To California Wine - Tentative elements of cherries are overlain by hints of green herbs and a scant bit of cocoa in the nose here, and, even if clean and showing sufficient fruit to convincingly claim its varietal name, the wine is narrowed by a streak of edgy acidity that keeps it from winning full endorsement.

Tasting Notes From Winemaker Bob Blue
Our Merlot fruit was rich and wonderful this vintage, and we decided to feature more of the fruit by lessening the blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines in the dominant vineyards are well seasoned but young, averaging 10 years, with a variety of clones and rootstocks in soils that range from red clay to gravelly loam.  Planted on VSP trellis to allow sun to reach into the vines evenly, and lessen the chance for mildew as the season grows long, you can taste the effect of the benchlands in the 800-1600 ft above sea level that dominates this area. Dense mountain fruit brings hints of cedar spice on the nose with faint notes of wintergreen, cassis and bright Bing cherries. Savor the wine as you enjoy soft, yet defining tannins with good structure and integration, with unique cranberry/cherry flavors layered with vanilla spice, toasty oak and a near velvet finish. This is a very good Merlot from a very good year.

The Vintage
The vintage was big, bold and beautiful, notable mostly for its wonderfully boring lack of complications. Mild summer weather patterns were the norm, following a dry spring. We saw fog, but no rain, from June through harvest, when September and October continued to offer warm weather, allowing the fruit to develop