A beautifully crafted, exquisitely balanced Merlot, rich in spicy currant, exotic spice and ripe blackberry fruit, turning spicy and exhibiting pretty mocha-scented oak, and finishing with a long, broad, rich aftertaste. Drink now through 2010.

A good introduction to the Pride Mountain Style is the 2001 Merlot (4,000 cases) made from their vineyard that straddles the Napa and Sonoma County Line. Hence this cuvee is composed of 55% Napa and 45% Sonoma fruit. A big, structured, inky-purple-colored offering, it possesses gorgeous aromas of creosote, damp earth, sweet black cherry as well as currant fruit, and a chocolately aftertaste. Rich and intense, with the wood well in check, this sumptuous Merlot is top-notch.

Good dark red. Smoky aromas of black raspberry, coffee and nutty oak. Lush, fat, & sweet, with layered flavors of black raspberry and sweet oak. Quintessential Pride Merlot, with strong fruit complemented but not overwhelmed by 100% new oak.