Wine Enthusiast:  Designated as "Editor's Choice" and rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended. "Shows some real class and distinction, with velvety-smooth tannins…framing well-developed flavors of black cherry candy, red currants and spices. One of the best Merlots to come out of Paso Robles lately, at a fair price."  Jul 2010

Wine Spectator:  Ranked #8 Top Values for California Merlot under $30.  "A Zin-lover's Merlot, offering lively smoky cherry aromas and zesty flavors of ripe plum, spice and licorice. Drink now through 2014."

Winery:  "The 2007 Merlot begins with generous aromas of plum, raspberry, mocha and toasty vanilla. The palate is smooth and supple, unfolding with deep flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum and cassis. Accents of clove spice accompany juicy tannins on a long, balanced finish.."

Wired For Wine:  Get ready for delicious at a great value winelovers.  The full flavor and smoky nuances of this Ancient Peaks Merlot will start the festivities off beautifully with bite-sized pieces of a porcini, bacon, leek frittata.  Make sure those glasses are full...  The lively, zesty, dark fruit, lovely spices, smooth tannins and depth of flavor of this California Merlot are made for richly flavored fare.  Beef, lamb, duck and veal chops are all terrific choices.  On the simple side, and perfect next to the velvety tannins is sirloin steak done on the grill and topped with a heady garlic butter.  To bring out the generous fruit in this Ancient Peaks, we love whole-roasted duck with a warm cherry chutney on the side.  If you prefer highlighting the more savory, spice side of this California red, grill up some rib lamb chops and top them with a mint gremolata.  Open another bottle and end the meal on a high note with a luscious French Ossau Iraty sheep's milk cheese.  It has a fragrance of toasted hazelnuts, and a classic buttery sweet flavor which will embrace this Ancient Peaks red like a long lost friend.  Strap on your boots winelovers, it's time to climb the Ancient Peaks!

Size:  750ml
Varietal: 85% Merlot, 10% Zinfandel, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Petite Sirah
Alcohol:  14.5%
Ageing:  19 months in French and American oak
Region:  Block 7, Margarita Vineyard, Paso Robles, California
Production: 2,233dozen