A wine that’s tender and soothing, this Merlot will offer quiet comfort rather than blast you with exuberance. Among its many rewards are delicate acidity, a gentle starburst of flavor that pings across the roof of the mouth, and a wash of silky tannins on the finish. All of this is relative, of course — we are, after all, discussing Merlot, so the wine is inherently forthright and upfront rather than shy and unobtrusive.
Decoy, Sonoma County (California) Merlot 2012
By Marguerite Thomas