Kendall-Jackson Merlot California Vintner's Reserve 2007

The Vintner Merlot from Kendall Jackson has intricate layers of black cherry, plum, currant, and wild berry flavors with a hint of spice. The soft, delicate tannins of this Bordeaux varietal carry these aromas and flavors to a long lingering finish.

'Intense wild berry and mocha flavors are accented by black cherry, currant and anise notes. Well structured, yet subtle tannins create a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel followed by a complex, rich and elegant finish.' - Randy Ullom, Winemaster

Intricate layers of black cherry, plum, currant, and wild berry flavors with a hint of spice. The soft, delicate tannins of this Bordeaux varietal carry these aromas and flavors to a long lingering finish.

The 2008 Vintnerrsquo;s Reserve Merlot (98% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc aged 14 months in two-thirds French and one-third American oak) exhibits a dark plum color along with notes of cherry cola, raspberry, garrigue, loamy soil and spice box. This medium-bodied, juicy Merlot is somewhat monolithic, but it displays an appropriate varietal character. Drink it over the next 2ndash;3 years.

This merlot overdelivers: The overall impression is cool and austere, a wine with some class, the fruit maintaining firmness and tension the way a plump cherry is held within its ripe skin. Decant it to let the juicy black cherry flavors emerge from behind the caramel sweetness of oak.

A fine, complex Merlot, appealing for its array of cherry, smoked meat, balsam, soy and pepper flavors. Shows lots of class and finesse for the price.

Another clear upgrade in quality is the 2007 Vintnerrsquo;s Reserve Merlot. This is even stronger than the 2006, which was an upgrade over earlier efforts. Elegant mocha and berry fruit intermixed with some herbs, coffee, and spice make for a delicious, round wine that is actually a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from Sonoma. Drink it over the next 2ndash;4 years.