2014 Farella "Estate" Coombsville Merlot (Winery Direct Library Release)

The 2014 Merlot is a deep, almost shockingly rich wine. A host of blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, licorice and French oak notes, along with the wine's dense fruit, give the wine its powerful, super-concentrated feel. There is certainly no shortage of depth. Even so, this is a style that seems a bit forced when taking into account the personality of the year and the inherent character of this Coombsville site. (AG)

If you think of Merlot as being either a fruit bomb or green bell pepper bomb, look elsewhere. Farella Estate makes some of the best Merlot and Melor blends outside of Pomerol. The nose of full of bittersweet chocolate, earth, herbs, and dry red plums. On the palate, dark red fruits with dried herbs, cedar wood and savory spice. This is from an era before the whole "fruit bomb" style took over and Combsville is the perfect area for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot!