2 | Wine | Merlot, $10 to $20

"Firm in texture, displaying a hard edge to the smoky berry, green olive and hay aromas and flavors, which linger against well-modulated tannins."

"We craft this wine to be our complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. I think of this wine as a great any day red."

"Classic Merlot aromas of dark cherries, cedar, pipe tobacco. Anise, stone and cherry blossoms. Yeah, believe it! Super smooth....a true Velvet Devil."

"It offers up an aromatic array of cinnamon, clove, incense, tobacco, black currant, and blackberry. In the glass it reveals layered fruit, spicy flavors, good volume, and excellent balance. This surprisingly rich Merlot can be approached now and will provide pleasure for another 4-5 years. It is an excellent value."

"Classic Merlot aromatics with mocha, dark plums and Christmas cake fruit spice. Soft, juicy Merlot with dark plums again with chocolaty tannins and a long, fleshy finish. Serve with charred meats. Yup, this is the ultimate BBQ wine. It’s great with sausages, steak and marinated chicken."

"Plummy nose, with some savory tobacco suggestions swirling in the background. On the palate the taste of black raspberries and cherries laced with chocolate and espresso, with just a hint of tannic grip on the finish. Mouth-filling and voluminous, this wine is all about sensuous curves--but possesses a fine bone structure to age gracefully for at least a few years. And lots of flavor to burn."