dry, medium-bodied, medium tannin, medium acidity; Strawberry, blackberry, green pepper flavors. Simple but serviceable.

KJ's high-volume Merlot is a soft and easy-going offering that brings together elements of cherries, tea and a bit of oak, yet it is always limited in depth and real varietal expression. Medium-bodied and a bit wanting in energy, it is one for unceremonious drinking in the near future.

Dry and gamy, with intense leathery flavors; tannic and earthy, with herb, tobacco and modest dried berry and currant flavors.

Bright, dark red. Lively aromas of cherry, currant, raspberry, tobacco and shoe polish. Bright, dense and layered with good ripeness and balance for the vintage. Finishes with suave, building tannins and very good persistence.

Plums and black fruits on the nose are rich and full bodied, buffered by a good dose of vanilla. This merlot is immediately likable but has a weight and grip on the mid palate, in addition to a supple and well rounded finish. Finally, a merlot that does not disappoint.

Possessed of well-ripened black cherry fruit in the nose, the wine simply does not avoid the green, herbal potential of the variety and winds up a bit at odds with itself both here and in its ripe, herb-tinged yet somewhat abbreviated flavors. Heat and gripping tannins rise at the end.

We were pleasantly surprised with this opulent, well-structured Merlot that draws juice from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Carneros. Ripe berry aromas with dense, rich blackberry and cherry flavors and a touch of vanillin oak. One of the better made Merlots on the market.

Dark red. Aromas of raspberry, cherry, bitter chocolate, smoke, tar and earth. Supple, sweet and ripe, with nicely defined red fruit flavors. Finishes with dusty but essentially sweet tannins.

An authentic tasting, light to meduim-bodied, soft Merlot offering aromas and flavors of cherries, herbs, earth, and berry fruit.

Lean, with a strong toasted oak shade to the tart cherry, currant and herb flavors. Finishes lean, but the tannins are balanced, not drying.

A simple, varietally true merlot, its meaty cherry fruit and round, supple texture make it easy to enjoy.

Mild, clean, fruity and pleasant, the aromas show neither depth nor focus. Perfectly pleasant in the mouth and fairly fruity, this is a useful, drinkable Merlot…

"Smoky oak scents push forward over moderately fruity tones…

Ripe fruit, soft blackberry and plum. A touch tart, some harsh oak. Undertones of vanilla.

Firm in structure, featuring red currant, toasted oak and herb flavors, finishing lean.

Ripe, juicy plum and currant flavors…

A ripe, somewhat fruity and very will-scrubbed wine, this slightly rounded, soft-edged effort is a safe, middle-of-the-road rendition that takes few chances, but fails at nothing. Easy to drink now and perfectly serviceable with dishes ranging from beef to lamb to well-season pork roasts…

Lean and a bit edgy, with crisp tannins and earthy currant, leather and herb notes, turning dry and tannic.

Fairly oaky off the top, the wine's ripe, black cherry fruity aromas take time to open and become accessible. …its frontal impressions in the mouth are also focused on wood spice.

…sweet cream, cinnamon, raspberries.

Firm and crisp, with austere tannins…" "Offers hints of currant and black cherry.

Deep, saturated ruby hue. Interesting, high-toned anise, chocolate and red-fruit aromas show a hearty oak accent. A lush entry leads a rounded, medium-bodied palate with drying tannin and low levels of acidity>

…sweet, soft red berries.

This wine is sourced primarily from Napa and Sonoma counties, giving it a fairly dark appearance with sweet plum, chocolate and American oak aromas.

It reveals tart acidity (too high for my palate), as well as attractive berry, cherry, cola, and herb-like flavors in its light to medium-bodied style. It is a fresh, lively Merlot ...