this vineyard-designated merlot includes 14% cabernet sauvignon. this vintage, syrah is eliminated and alcohol is lowered—a welcome shift. rich and loaded with black fruits, it carries interesting accents of caramel popcorn, yielding a delicious, tongue-coating wine with a silky-smooth mouthfeel. it has good length, and the possibility of aging for another five or six years.
Cold Creek Vineyard