Apex 1998 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot (Yakima Valley)

Country: US / Kestrel Vineyard
Variety: Merlot Washington
Winery: Apex / Yakima Valley

This tangy wine is laced with plenty of toasty new oak, giving it scents and flavors of cocoa and spice. Some excellent fruit is there, tasting of tart black cherries, but it seems a bit overwhelmed. —P.G.