1994 Pahlmeyer Merlot, Napa Valley, USA 750ml

The just-released 1994 Merlot is a terrific example of this varietal, and one of the finest I have ever tasted from California. The wine reveals a dense purple color, followed by a super fragrant nose of chocolate, mocha, toast, and black-cherry fruit. Full-bodied, but not heavy, this expansive, chewy, opulently textured wine should drink well for 15 or more years. With the assistance of consulting oenologist Helen Turley, the Pahlmeyer wines have emerged as some of the finest in northern California.