Mountain wines often show a little less fat and a little more structural toughness than their valley-floor counterparts, and this sturdy, very deeply filled Merlot does just that. Its succulent smells of cherries, mint, chocolate and toast lead to like-minded but rather astringent flavors that are presently bound up in youthful tannins, yet its tenacious fruit fights on through at the finish and guarantees that a handsome wine will await all those who exercise five or six years of patience.

Medium to medium-dark ruby; attractive, forward, intense, plumy, raspberry and black cherry aroma with overtones of mocha and creamy oak; full body; forward, rich, textured, sweet black cherry fruit flavors with notes of dark chocolate and a creamy mouth feel; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Shows forward rich fruit, and while very appealing to taste now, it also shows good aging potential. Very highly recommended.

Pride's regular '04 Merlot was very good. This one's better. Intensely rich and concentrated in the way of mountain wines, it shows huge, ripe cherry marmalade, black raspberry pie filling, rum and cola, mocha-choca and Asian spice flavors, enriched by smoky oak. Any really ripe wine can do that, but only one from great coastal vineyards can achieve this balance of acids and tannins. Should develop over the next ten years.

Not shy about showing its oak, with plenty of cedar, vanilla bean and spice, yet underneath is a delicious core of currant, blackberry and graphite. Oak returns on the finish, providing a woody mouthfeel, but there's lots of depth and concentration. Drink now through 2011. 450 cases made.

Saturated, deep ruby-red. Aromas of smoky redcurrant, graphite and nutty oak, with a suggestion of chocolate liqueur. Lush on entry, then concentrated, sweet and silky-smooth, with rich, slightly high-toned flavors of plum, smoke and graphite. This has lovely sweetness and lift and finishes very long, with big, rich tannins. A major mouthful of mountain merlot.