2012 Pride Mountain Vineyards, “Vintner Select Cuvée,” Sonoma County ($80) – Medium-dark ruby; attractive, forward, deep, intense, cedary, red currant, black cherry, and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of tobacco leaf, licorice, and cocoa; full body; forward, very rich, deep, textured, cedary, black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors, though still a bit rough in the mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Should benefit with a few more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. 14.6% alcohol; 559 cases; 100% Merlot; released January 2015. (My Score: 92 of 100 points)

A 100% varietal wine, grown in an area called the Lower Mountaintop, there's a compelling candied cherry and raspberry element here, supported by complex accents of vanilla and cured meat. With plenty of body to stay fresh and vibrant on the palate, it never gets bogged down, finishing in richer components of dark chocolate and oak.

Features power and finesse, with aromas of fresh red currant and dusty mocha leading to flavors that are dense midpalate yet wrapped in supple notes of cherry, bay leaf and spicy loam. Drink now through 2023. 559 cases made -TF

The 2012 Merlot Vintner Select is deep, inky and explosive, with plenty of varietal character and richness. Ripeness is pushed to the edge, which actually works well with Merlot, although some tasters might notice a slightly oxidative note that peeks through on the finish. The 2012 could use further time in bottle to drop some baby fat, but it is impressive, even today. Succulent dark cherries, raspberry jam, cloves, mint and new leather linger on the close.

-- Antonio Galloni

The 2012 Merlot Vintner’s Select is 100% Merlot from the Sonoma side of their vineyards, aged in 40% new French oak for 20 months. This smaller cuvée of just over 500 cases displays lots of chocolate and espresso notes, plenty of glycerin, and touches of background oak, spice box, blackberry and black cherry jam. It is ripe, dense, delicious, and ideal for drinking over the next 8-10 years.