The aromas of black currants, graphite, lavender and violets are gorgeous. Black olives and walnuts, too. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, a racy texture and small black berry-like flavors. Iron undertones as well...

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...

The blue fruits and lavender with crushed stone aromas are very impressive and alluring here. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are very polished and long. Some crushed berries. Turns to orange peel at the end. Merlot...

The nose begins sweet and classic, like berries dipped in vanilla and chocolate, and then expands to include a riot of wild herbs. On the palate, the interplay between chocolaty berries and savory undertones continues...

The 2021 Merlot lifts from the glass with a pretty mix of blue- and purple-toned florals that complement ripe blueberries. It's lifted and energetic, with crisp red and blue fruits further enhanced by cooling acidity as a...

This rich red is saturated with black cherry, black currant, tar, wild rosemary and cedar flavors. Beautifully layered, ripe and fresh, with a lingering fruity and savory aftertaste and refined tannins. Merlot. Drink now...

Now in its third vintage, the Castello dei Rampolla 2020 Liù is a fine and impeccably detailed wine. You taste bright fruit, cherry and dusty limestone with incredible focus, as if these things were under a microscope...

This wine is rich, with aromas of dark cherry, red currant confiture, clove, dried flowers and dried bay leaf on the nose. The flavors on the palate are blackberry coulis, dark plum and black tea, interlaced with cocoa...

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...

The floral character of the perfume is striking. From there, you discover silky, opulent, and fresh layers of sweet, ripe, deep red fruits, dark chocolate, and a lingering spicy note that shows in the elegant finish's...

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...

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...

I've been particularly impressed with the last few vintages of Galatrona, and this 2024 doesn't disappoint. It opens with cool red and blue fruit aromas along with touches of petrichor (think rain on tarmac), violets and...

The 2021 Masseto is breathtaking. An absolute masterpiece that presents itself without a single moment that is not perfection. The nose is simply gorgeous, a cascade of rose, violet, lavender, macerated strawberry...