The 2006 Merlot is dark ruby/purple-colored with aromas of spice box, earth notes, red currants, and black currants. This leads to a medium-bodied, forward Merlot with plenty of up-front fruit, tasty flavors, and an easy-going personality. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Arboleda manages to produce a large quantity of wine while maintaining a high level of quality at friendly prices.Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700

Burly aromas of mint, leather, shoe polish, olive and herbs all come together fairly well, and the palate is alive with fruit, especially red cherry and plum. A second layer of heat, chocolate and raspberry carry oaky remnants of toast and spice, and overall it comes across as a real wine waiting to be drunk.——M.S.(9/1/2009)—— 87