(the final blend was made just hours before my visit): Very deep ruby-blue. Highly aromatic nose of black cherry, black raspberry, espresso and Valrhona chocolate. Sweet, dense and highly concentrated but with lovely juicy acidity giving the primary black cherry flavor uncanny vibrancy. Impressively fat for the year. Very long, sappy, firmly tannic finish. Some of this juice will go into the Reserve Claret. A great showing in light of the vintage - in fact, this is more impressive than the '97 Merlot.

"SPECTATOR SELECTION" Impressive. Espresso-style, deeply concentrated Merlot, boasting a core of rich currant, coffee, black cherry and anise. Firms up on the finish, where a touch of bay leaf adds complexity to the flavor profile. Drink now through 2006. 4,137 cases made.

"TOP SCORING CALIFORNIA MELOT" Impressive. Espresso-style, with rich currant, coffee, black cherry and anise. Firm finish, with a touch of bay leaf.

An estate wine from Pride's mountain vineyards that overlap the Napa-Sonoma border, this powerful young merlot has more structure than most. It's complicated: Rather than immediately delicious in style, it's tough, packed with flavor and all wrapped up in itself. The flavors are black (chocolate, dark plum and plum skin) while there are glimmers of light (jasmine and other white floral scents). As a merlot, it has a soft, generous middle. But as a mountain wine, the tannins complicate matters and make it earthy, a touch bitter, the finish held tight. Give it time to absorb some of the tannin and the brighter aspects of the wine should begin to shine; the complexity should also prove fascinating with age. 4,137 cases made.

Medium to medium-dark ruby; attractive, rich, intense, cedary, cassis and black cherry fruit aroma with overtones of vanilla; medium-full to full body; big, forward, rich, plush, textured, toasty, rounded, ripe black cherry fruit flavors; medium-full tannin; silky finish; lingering aftertaste. Deserves several more years of bottle aging. Highly recommended. 14.1% alcohol; 4,137 cases; blended with 5% CS; released May 2000. (group score: 15.6, 2/3/1; My score: 17 (90/100), First Place.

The dark ruby/purple colored 1998 Merlot (a blend of 64% Napa and 36% Sonoma fruit) exhibits copious quantities of toasty new oak in the bouquet in addition to deep, chewy, blackberry and cherry aromas. There is excellent richness, medium to full body, adequate acidity, and a forward appeal. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.