Seems that Craig McDonald (winemaker) likes an element of American oak in his Merlot (20%) of which 50% is new – this gives the wine a little more bang for the bucks you’re going to fork over for it. This is quite a ballsy Merlot as it doles out blueberry skin, raspberry and cocoa on the nose; the heft shows on the palate with some meaty tannins that are still gonna need a year or so to soften – by then the dark fruit will begin to show a little more prominently and the red fruit should be more than just a whisper in the background. Price: $14.95 – Rating: ****