The following three Merlots are luscious and ready to pour at your table. They offer complexity that a stuffier wine consumer may have thought to be that of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 'em and weep.

Kenwood Vineyards Reserve-Massara Merlot, Sonoma 2000 Price $25 Rating 92 "The extraordinarily rich character and silky texture of the just-released 2000 Kenwood Vineyards Reserve-Massara Merlot will surprise and impress many wine lovers. It's only natural. In contrast to the vast majority of California Merlot vineyards, the 12-acre Massara Vineyard bears a striking resemblance to Merlot's ancestral home - the famed 'Right Bank,' more specifically Bordeaux's Pomerol region," boasts winery spokesperson Margie Healy.

Situated on terraced slopes in northern Sonoma Valley, Massara Vineyard possesses rocky, gravelly soil enriched with clay, just like the best Pomerol sites. Geography and aspect also play roles; less than 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean and south facing, the vineyard enjoys relatively cool growing conditions and long days in full sun, ideal conditions for Merlot grapes to develop full fruit at maturity. Kenwood Vineyards gives Massara grapes winemaking worthy of their reserve designation, including cool fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and 31 months aging in newer French oak barrels.

"Very deep in color, the 2000 Reserve-Massara Merlot displays opulent aromas of black currant, blackberry and tobacco. Sweet bing cherry and black currant fruit dominate the generous flavors, with a dash of eucalyptus in the background for complexity. Exceptional depth and richness on the palate combines with smooth texture and fine balance for superb drinking, both now and in the future. Only 1,600 cases of the 2000 Kenwood Vineyards Reserve-Massara Merlot were produced," adds Healy. "Along with Reserve-Massara, we produce three other Merlots. The Jack London Vineyard showcases grapes from the famous author's Beauty Ranch, the Sonoma County highlights regional character and the Yulupa gives on-premise sellers a unique marketing opportunity."

Founded in the Sonoma Valley in 1970, Kenwood Vineyards is dedicated to producing premium wines that repesent

Geyser Peak Winery Reserve Merlot 2000
Price $39
Rating 94
The winery's head, Darryl Groom, explains as follows, "Alexander Valley has established an enviable reputation for producing richly textured Merlots...This powerfully structured Merlot's opaque color signals the wines's intensity of flavor. The nose is a rich and exotic array of chocolate and roasted coffee beans with accents of smoky barrel ferment and cedary oak characters. Rich, intense flavors of black cherry and cocoa roll through the palate, leading to a wine of amazing structure and balance. A spicy kick reveals a hint of cola nut and more cocoa, and tannins." Learn more a www.geyserpeakwinery.com.

Sebastiani Vineyards Merlot, Sonoma 2001 Price $13 Rating 91 Sebastiani offers, hands-down, the best Merlot value from California. The sip is jam-packed with spicy jam, richly ripe plum and balanced structure.
They paint a multi-vineyard blend, and their resources are powerful, resulting in a complex, fruit-forward Merlot. Visit www.sebastiani.com to learn about their other wines.

Sebastiani has celebrated their 100th Anniversary and frankly, the land was much cheaper a century ago. They have not brought forward the current day expenses of operating a winery. We tip our glasses with a toast toward their right-minded thinking.