Interesting to note that owner / winemaker Laurent Delaunay classifies Merlot as a “winemakers grape” saying that it is a “neutral variety” that “naturally… does not have a lot of character or personality” probably why it took them 5 years to find their style with it in their southern France winery, because there really is “no benchmark” (Laurent says) – here you’ll find lots of plum, black cherry and chocolate on the nose with dark berries, spice and black pepper on the palate.  Rating: ****