The 1995 Merlot Bancroft Ranch exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, followed by a stunning nose of chocolate, minerals, black cherries, and toast. A serious, mountain-styled Merlot, it displays full body, outstanding concentration and purity, and moderate tannin. It needs to be cellared for another 2-3 years, but will last 15 years. Beringer does a superb job with its production from the Bancroft Ranch on Howell Mountain. About 8,000 cases of their single vineyard Merlot are produced. The wine spends 20 months in French oak coopered by the well-known house of Seguin-Moreau. Tel. (707) 963-7115; Fax (707) 963-1735