The 2019 Pedestal Merlot was made with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. The nose opens with a firm backbone of fresh and ripe black plums and dark cherries before delightful oaky essences sway from the glass with...

Aromas of spices, such as cloves, dark berries and some herbs. Full-bodied and layered with chewy tannins and a savory finish. Juicy and flavorful. Drink after 2024.

A blend of fruit from Stagecoach and Waters Ranch (Pahlmeyer's estate vineyard), the 2021 Merlot is a real beauty. Scents of menthol, cedar and a hint of mocha accent the ripe black cherry core, while the full-bodied...

The 2021 Galatrona is a rich, deep, expansive wine endowed with striking textural depth and structure. Dark fruit, sage, lavender, mocha and grilled herbs are all amplified in this potent Merlot. Readers will have to be...

The 2021 Merlot is packed with dark blue/purplish fruit, new leather, spice, tobacco, mocha and licorice. Juicy and enveloping, with terrific energy, the Merlot is absolutely delicious. The brighter style here is so...

Black olives with some fresh basil and lemongrass aromas that follow through to a medium body with a juicy center palate. Savory and delicious. A little simple this year but well done for the vintage. Drink now.

Deep red with magenta highlights, the 2020 Messorio is the most complete of these wines aromatically on opening and seems to disprove the idea that Merlot is struggling in this region as climate change takes its hold...

Another beautiful wine as well as a smoking value, the 2021 Merlot Blueline Estate (75% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and tiny amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec) has lots of up-front plum and black cherry fruits...

All Merlot aged in once-filled and neutral oak, the 2022 Merlot sports a vivid ruby/purple hue as well as solid aromatics of ripe black cherries, cedary herbs, dried flowers, and a kiss of background oak. It's medium to...

Lively lavender aromas elevate the dark berry and thyme scents on the nose of this bottling. The core of blueberry fruit on the palate is cut by oregano, marjoram and cracked pepper flavors. — Matt Kettmann

The Merlot-dominated 2017 Merlot Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard (there's 4% Cabernet Franc in the blend) is also straight-up brilliant, showing tons of ripe black cherry, chocolate, coffee bean, and truffly herb...

The 2014 Enclos Tourmaline, a new kid on the Pomerol block courtesy of Peter Kwok, comes from a single-hectare parcel of Merlot located slap-bang opposite Château Clinet. It has a refined bouquet with ebullient red cherry...

Blackberries and black cherries with lavender and violets on the nose. Full-bodied with velvety, chewy tannins, yet the fruit is very intense with vibrancy and energy. Muscular, yet agile. Pure and poised. A unique...

The 2021 Galatrona is a rich, deep, expansive wine endowed with striking textural depth and structure. Dark fruit, sage, lavender, mocha and grilled herbs are all amplified in this potent Merlot. Readers will have to be...

Ten years on the Redigaffi shows it's vibrancy with lifted aromas of savoury spice, violet and fennel. The palate is still bright yet rich with exquisite fine tannin wrapped around a core of black fruit and savoury notes...