The 2017 Merlot is deep, fruity and quite expressive. Black cherry, plum new leather, dried herbs and spice are nicely layered in a deep, resonant Merlot.

The 2017 Merlot is all from estate-grown fruit, with 87% coming from their Suscol Springs vineyard and 13% from Cakebread Winery Ranch vineyard. It was aged for 17 months in 55% new French Oak. Deep garnet-purple, the nose comes bounding of the glass with notes of blueberry pie, baked plums and chocolate box with hints of licorice and spice box. Medium-bodied, the palate gives up intense blue and black fruit preserves flavors with a wicked backbone of freshness and light grip of chewy tannins, finishing long and spicy.