The 2008 Grand Reserve Merlot (98% Merlot and the rest other Bordeaux varietals) offers notes of graphite, charcoal, plum sauce, black cherries, mocha and toast. This dense, structured, medium to full-bodied Merlot is approachable now, but is capable of lasting 7-8 years. Kendall-Jackson enjoys a well-deserved reputation for over-delivering quality vis à vis price for its wines.

The 2007 Grand Reserve Merlot, also from Sonoma, is a slightly bigger wine than the 2007 Vintner's Reserve Merlot with similar character but more density and more fruit.

Spicy, peppery, black cherry, light coffee, tobacco, black olive, vanilla, barnyard aromas with a touch of plum, orange and carrot top. Round, dry, supple, fresh palate with light tannins. Cherry, tart plum, chocolate, peppery, cedar, tobacco, orange, meaty, licorice root flavours. Good finesse and fruit but with a bit of a tart note on the finish.

A wine that should rekindle consumer interest in Merlot is the 2006 Grand Reserve Merlot. Plenty of seductive, chocolatey, black cherry, and berry fruit emerge from this deep ruby/purple-hued, medium to full-bodied, 100% Merlot. With good depth, a silky texture, and a heady finish, it should drink well for decade or more.

Now firmly a tri-county blend of mountain, hillside and bench fruit from Sonoma (61), Napa (23) and Mendocino (16) counties. Wow! How delicious is this edition? Expect dark fruit colours and flavours streaked with plums, cedar, cherry and spice, with a smooth chassis. Structurally correct and full, with a smoky, black fruit finish and rounded, fine-grained tannins. This should settle the Sideways merlot issue for good. Well done.

Black from start to finish, this shows more oak influence in its flavor (coffee and chocolate) than any direct fruit character. Mostly about texture-soft, round, full and rich-it's easy to enjoy.

With a major component from the Anderson Valley, this wine has big tannins...They frame some rich blackberry and cherry flavors that have notes of vanilla and mocha. Very full-bodied, this wine needs to be cellared through 2005 or even longer.

Kendall-Jackson's 2013 Stature Bordeaux Red Blend is another huge, imposing wine with massive tannins and tons of concentration. I am not sure the tannins will ever soften enough to release the deep, inky fruit, but if they do, the 2013 may very well merit a more positive note in the future. Smoke, grilled herbs and cured meat add complexity, but the 2013 remains a powerful, strapping Cabernet for tannin heads.

A delicious fruit bomb, this has all the jammy goodness of blackberry syrup, with just enough tannin and acidity to keep it from being sweet. Smooth on the palate, it’s full-bodied, uncomplicated and tasty.

The jammy blackberry and smoky spice aromas open to zesty and easygoing plum, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors. Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah.

Smooth and juicy with bright plum, raspberry and spice; tangy acidity and fresh flavors; long and intense with charm and depth. 36% Syrah, 34% Zinfandel, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Sirah, 3% other varieties.

Smooth and lush with lovely plum and berry fruit with charming spice, tangy acidity and a bright, mellow finish; balanced, fresh and long.

The 2009 Red Wine Trace Ridge is an attractive wine, but it doesn't quite offer the same visceral thrill of Kendall-Jackson's top 100% Cabernets. Hints of mint, crushed flowers and licorice add a measure of complexity on the finish. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot from Kellogg Vineyard in Knights Valley. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021.

The 2005 Grand Reserve Meritage, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc all aged in French oak, comes from the Sonoma estate of Jess Jackson. This is a wine that could turn out to be outstanding. Deep ruby/purple with notes of graphite, cedar, pain grillé, black cherry, and mulberry, the wine is medium to full-bodied, has pure fruit as well as nice texture. It has a Bordeaux-like personality and good length.

Very ripe in tone throughout and deep enough black cherry fruit to win the day, this wine boasts a nice dollop of sweet oak and a background note of herbs in its overall attractive mix of elements. It is a bit ragged at the finish, but it can serve well now and over the ensuing three to six years with well-seasoned hunks of red meat.

Serves up a lot of flavor, with mocha-laced currant and black cherry fruit that's sweet tasting and supple, before firming and flexing its tannic muscles on the finish.

Features tangy yet rich blackberry, black cherry, currant, vanilla and mocha flavors, all framed by very firm but ripe tannins…

Heady aromas of plums, chocolate, blackberries, and raisins. Flavors are fruity, and tannins are considerable, as is the oak. Although the alcohol is only 13.9 percent, it drinks a little like a Port - thick and chewy. Will seem cloying and out of balance to some; others will be thrilled.

Deep reddish purple. Medium-bodied. Highly extracted. Mildly tannic. Mint, vanilla, black fruits. Attractive mint-nuanced aromas. Solid chewy Cabernet fruit on the palate gives way to dry, powdery tannins through the finish. Good acids give this a tart edge.

More saturated color. Knockout aromas of plum, tobacco, tar, lead pencil and game. Big, rich and fat; a seductive style of wine but does it have as much substance as flash? Not quite as sweet on the palate as on the nose, and ultimately a win of very good rather than outstanding depth and intensity of flavor.

Herbs, chocolate and sweet cherries on the nose. Supple and sweet; rather Merlot-like in its softness. Black currant fruit offers immediate pleasure.

Bright, ripe and rich currant, black cherry and spice flavors that are focused and concentrated. Finishes with a burst of sweet fruit.

Medium body, acid and fruit, lots of oak. Medium tannin. Black fruits, leather, tar and smoke. Concentrated fruit with rustic edges carries a protracted finish. Smoky oak is prevalent.

Wonderful, bright, red berry nose. Extremely soft and tasty.

The 2017s From Sonoma The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot) is straighter and more focused, with plenty of red currants, black cherry, tobacco, and smoky oak notes as well as medium body and ripe tannins. It’s nicely balanced, with ample fruit and texture and a great finish.