Freemark Abbey is best known for its long-lived Cabernet Sauvigon, so its Merlot is often overlooked. This vintage is lighter than some, but the lack of heft can be appealing and the firm structure points to a wine that has every right to improve with a few additional years in the cellar. It shows plum and blackberry fruit with an inviting floral note and warm spice accents on the finish.
