2002 Pride Mountain "Vintner's Select Cuv̩e Mountain Top Vineyard" Sonoma County Merlot

Ratcheting up the level of concentration, complexity, and persistence in the mouth is the 2002 Merlot Vintner‰۪s Select (400 cases). An opulent, heady wine that reveals gorgeously melted toffee notes intermixed with blackberry and cherry liqueur, a hint of smoke, underbrush, and fabulous power and richness, this is extraordinarily pure, dense wine that is about as good as Merlot can be in California. (RP)