Massive, serious and about as yummy as merlot can get, Pride's wine from vines straddling the top of Spring Mountain grows on either side of the Napa-Sonoma line. In 2000, it tastes like the fruit has been sculpted by hand, broad and smooth with the supple grit of pinpoint tannins need no more cushioning than the blueberry fruit, fully ripe rather than jammy, savory with flavor accents of fig compote and chocolate. The focus elevates it to a higher note in the finish, already primed for a roast partridge and chestnut stuffing. For those who choose to cellar it, this will only gain richness and depth.

Rich and long in the mouth, with impressively concentrated flavors of blackberries and plums and a delicious note of chocolately fig. These ripe flavors are fully dry, with the most wonderful velvety tannins. The wine is soft and full of charm.

7% Cabernet Sauvignon. A rich and engaging Merlot, it follows the Pride Mountain style with its emphasis on ripeness, and it is always a wine of depth and intensity. It borders on higher ratings but wants just a bit more of Merlot's inner succulence to take that next step up. Nevertheless, with that one caveat said, this is a wine that will make an excellent mealtime partner to a rack of lamb and to other rich meat dishes.

The 2000 Merlot (5,000cs) is a blend of fruit from Napa (61%) and Sonoma (39%). The dividing line for those two counties transects the Pride Mountain Vineyard, hence the confusion about the wines appellations. The 2000 Merlot offers plenty of sweet black fruits, and an elegant, medium-bodied personality without the grip, depth, and concentration of the 1999 and 1998. To be fair, it had just been bottled when I tasted it. While it is unquestionably an excellent Merlot, it displays the vintages superficial charm and friendliness, but not much intensity or persistence.

Smooth and flavorful, with dusty cedar and pencil shaving aromas leading to rich, intense pencil lead, currant and blackberry flavors, keeping its cedary oak profile. Finishes with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2007. 5,320 cases made