Sometimes circumstance leads you to alter your plans to take advantage of opportunity. Such is the case with our 1999 Merlot. Though we had originally planned to use the Merlot for blending, the grapes were so outstanding, we had to add this varietal to our portfolio to complement the Cabernet Sauvignon. This classic bottling of Merlot is extremely concentrated and ripe with juicy black cherry, currant, chocolate and spice flavors. A balanced touch of oak, from mostly new French oak barrels, adds a note of vanilla and toast in the background. The wine is supple and polished with a long and elegant finish. The Merlot aged 18 months in 90% French oak barrels and six months in the bottle before release.