As a vociferous critic of the ocean of vegetal, washed-out, over-priced Merlots from California, I am amazed at how many Merlots have performed well in my tasting room over the last several months. While it is still a category filled with more duds than flavorful and fruit-filled wines, Whitehall Lane has hit the bull's eye with their dark ruby/purple-colored 1993 Merlot Leonardini Vineyard. It offers up intense scents of jammy, berry fruit, mocha, tobacco, cedar, and herbs. Full-bodied and supple, with moderate tannin, this is a large-scaled, compellingly rich, nicely textured Merlot for drinking over the next 5-6 years. Tel. (707) 963-9454