($58) (blended with 10% cabernet sauvignon):  Moderately saturated bright red-ruby.  Sexy aromas of currant, black cherry, chocolate, mocha and brown spices.  At once sweet and precise, with captivating inner-mouth floral perfume to the firm-edged flavors of dark berries, graphite and fresh herbs.  A bit youthfully taut but this is very impressive for a wine made in large quantity (5,300 cases in 2010).  Finishes with lovely verve and the spine for aging.

This year, the 2010 Merlot is the most fragrant and lightest of the entry-level wines at Pride. Sweet red cherries, dried flowers, tobacco and spices all waft from the glass of this delicate, fragrant wine, which is best suited for near and mid-term drinking. The 2010 Merlot is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Medium to medium-dark ruby; attractive, forward, spicy, blackberry fruit aroma with hints of cassis, chocolate, and tobacco leaf; medium-full to full body; rich, dense, textured, mouth-filling, black cherry and dark berry fruit flavors; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Approachable now and should continue to develop with several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.