($68; includes 12.5% cabernet franc) Good ruby-red color. Lively aromas of redcurrant, tobacco, mocha and maple syrup. Then high-pitched and fresh in the mouth, with a slightly carnal tone to the flavors of dark cherry, redcurrant, tobacco, roasted marshmallow and herbs. Finishes with firm tannins and a hint of boysenberry. This has a pH of 3.8 but comes across as brighter than the Red Wine bottlings. Quilceda's merlot bottling has become consistently outstanding.

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Though this is first and foremost a Cabernet producer, this fall Quilceda Creek will release an exceptional 2003 Merlot (400 cases). Produced with 12.5% Cabernet Franc, it brings to mind some of the finest St.-Emilions. Sweet black fruits and notes of roasted asphalt can be detected in its aromatics. Highly concentrated and dense, it is medium to full-bodied, suave, and silky-textured. Dark chocolate, blackberries, dark cherries, and hints of raspberries make up its boisterous flavor profile.

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Ripe and distinctly spicy, a plush mouthful of cinnamon- and nutmeg-accented plum and currant fruit, lingering nicely on the open finish. 400 cases made.

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Left to breathe 2 hrs, decanted for a further hour. Initially, a lovely cassis nose, not unlike Bordeaux, but this gave way to strong undertones of alcohol. On the palate the wine was suprisingly weighted, not as rich as expected, very smooth. The cassis flavors were strongly outgunned by the huge ' hot' alcohol, the wine was unbalanced. ( 14.9% ). left for a further hour to see if any of the hotness had diminished, sadly not. The Cabernet from this producer is stunning, the Merlot...sadly not!!!