While I love many from Pomerol, I must admit New World merlot is not exactly my sweet spot. That said, this wine is delicious – maybe as good as young Cali merlot gets. Opened about an hour before consuming with pulled pork (my mistake in not giving it more time and or decanting), this wine has a real seriousness to it – I suppose owing to its mountain upbringing. The structure and backbone of cabernet, with the plushness of merlot. A big, long, hedonistic, fruit-driven, concentrated wine. Coffee, chocolate-covered cherries. Not my usual cup of tea. But quite well-balanced, with little discernible wood. It could easily have been a very young Le Gay or even Clinet, and I would have been none the wiser. But will it evolve like the Right Bank? Perhaps not the most complex wine, but quite nice – especially for the relatively modest tariff. Saved a glass for tonight (strictly in the interest of science). 92