Bob Foley claims 2002 is for those who love texture and the lush tactile impressionof wines. He seems to prefer the aromatic complexity of the 2003's but thinks 2002, texturally is about as great as it can be. Moreover, it is a reasonably abundant vintage for Pride Mountain, where yields tend to be low because of the stressed nature of the vineyards. The 2002 Merlot, which comes from the Napa and Sonoma sides of the mountain, is elegant, with wonderfully sweet black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of mocha, white chocolate, and some background sappy wood notes, it's beautiful integration of acidity and tannin make for an elegant, polished, and stunning Merlot to drink over the next decade.

Full and delicious, Pride's merlot achieves a balanced ripeness at the mountaintop border of Napa and Sonoma counties. This wine has density of fruit while it retains a spot-on varietal identity, a flavor of black cherry and rose petal jam. Tannins amplifythe richness with a chocolate warmth, evenly meshed with the fruit across the palate. A pleasure to drink now with rare filet mignon, this is well suited to age.

Red-Ruby. Aromas of red currant, tobacco, milk and loam. Sweet, complex flavors of red currant, tobacco, cedar, smoke and minerals, all brightened by harmonious, ripe acidity that runs through the wine. Finished with round, sweet tannins and very good length. Merlot with real flavor interest.

In the typical Pride Mountain fashion, this deep and complete wine combines lotsof fancy oak with fruit that has both the succulence of flatland grapes as well as some of the structure that comes from its mountain-top home. It is crème brule'e character and mixes the ripe cherry fruit of Merlot with the brightness of fresh cranberries in a friendly, open set of flavors. The wine's depth and latter palate convinces that it can age handsomely as well.