The 2024 Pride Merlot offers a generous helping of fresh fruit highlighted with nuanced, alluring notes of savory herbs. Sweet cherries, raspberries and a hint of currants overflow from the glass and are tied through by a lovely thread of rosemary. The balance of fruit and herbs, with just a touch of floral, is the ideal profile for merlot raised in the mountains. The tension and freshness of this wine become abundantly clear on the first sip as the fruit tilts to the firm, refreshingly tart, nature of Queen Anne cherries. The savory herbs ebb a bit as hints of rich earth come forward. These elements all marry perfectly with a pleasant and lingering finish. The result is a comforting wine that is as enjoyable now as it will be for the next 15 years. With just enough power, balanced with a pretty elegance, this wine is equally suited to enjoy while firing up the grill as it is to close out a busy workday.