Franciscan Merlot Napa 2006

Fruity and very easy to drink for its soft, rich texture and polished finish. Offers flavors of black cherries and cassis, with a chocolatey undertow. Like velvet, and finishes with a kick of tannin.

Creamy mocha and oak flavors are immersed in this wine, almost overshadowing the ripe cherry and currant. Turns raw, with dry, oaky tannins on the finish. Those who like wood in their wines will find this pleasing. Drink now through 2007.

Spreads out plenty of ripe, tasty flavors, with a core of currant, blackberry and cherry and finishes with a nice touch ot toasty, cedar oak. Enough tannin to merit short-to-mid-term cellaring. Solid value. Drink now through 2008.

Medium-bodied, with pretty spice, currant, black cherry and leather notes. Mild tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2006.

An exuberantly fruity, smoky, oaky nose leads to a soft, straightforward, plump, chewy wine that is ideal for drinking over the next 5ndash;6 years.

Sear a duck breast and it should set you up well for the black currant and black anise intensity of this wine. Itrsquo;s chunky, but not all black, with a shot of bing cherry, a frisky, foresty edge to rise out of the blanket of chocolaty tannins that falls softly over the end. Tightly wrapped and lasting, this isnrsquo;t a challenging wine, itrsquo;s just about pleasure.

A little angular and sugary sweet, but itrsquo;s soft enough, with a creamy, velvety texture and some ripe blackberry jam and chocolate candy flavors.