Last year I was shown four De Lisio wines, this year only the entry level 2007 Quarterback, a sign of the times in a microcosm. The wine is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Shiraz, and 17% Grenache aged for 15 months in seasoned French oak. Dark ruby in color, it delivers an enticing bouquet of floral notes, spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. Full-bodied, ripe, and sweetly-fruited on the palate, it manages to retain a sense of elegance. This lengthy blend has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years but there is no reason to delay your gratification. It is also an excellent value.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #186 / Dec 09]

Broad and generous, offering a lively mouthful of cherry, milk chocolate and clove flavors that mingle effectively on the long, expressive finish against firm tannins. Best from 2009 through 2013.

Wine Spectator Rating: 90

[Issue: Dec 15/08]

Impresses for its denseness, volume and sheer power. Shows deep, long-lasting flavors of blackberries, black cherries, currants, violets, cocoa and minerals, accented with smoky oak. Keenan has a long, great track record with Merlot, and here’s another one. Drink this refined, elegant wine soon with upscale fare.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 91

[Issue: 04/01/10]

Merlot and Santa Ynez Valley are a great match, and Star Lanes 2006 shows how well the variety thrives in that Santa Barbara County region. The wine is dry, rich and full-bodied, with beautifully ripe tannins framing black and red currant, tobacco, mocha and herb flavors.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 91

[Issue: 12/31/08]

The 2006 Merlot contains 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Syrah and was aged in predominantly new French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it delivers an enticing nose of wood smoke, pencil lead, vanilla, espresso, and black currant. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it exhibits a smooth texture, generous spice and black fruit flavors, fine-grained tannins, and several years of aging potential.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #185 / Oct 09]

The 2007 Merlot (a 10,000-case cuvee that includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon) may be the finest Merlot I have ever tasted from Shafer. Reasonably priced for a Napa Valley Merlot, it is characterized by elegance and substance. Its dark ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of wood spice, forest, flowers, berries, mocha, and wood smoke, medium to full body, sweet tannins, and good freshness. Enjoy it over the next 12+ years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 90

[Issue: #189 / Dec 09]

The 2006 Firebelle Proprietary Red (1,800 cases) is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Malbec, aged 18 months on its lees. A beautiful nose of sweet black cherries, white chocolate, coffee beans, and subtle earthiness is followed by a full-bodied, powerful, moderately tannic wine that looks set for 10-15 years of aging. It is accessible already, with its terrific aromatics and plush, succulent style. It is also a fairly priced wine from one of the benchmark vineyards of Napa Valley.

Wine Advocate Rating: 91

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

Pahlmeyer’s Merlot was the uncontested top California Merlot for many years, but significant competition has emerged from the upstart Kapcsandy Estate in Yountville. However, Pahlmeyer’s offering remains one of the classic examples of just how great Merlot can be in Napa. The 2006 Merlot (89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits sweet chocolate, mocha, cola, black cherry, and plum aromas and flavors as well as full body, a sumptuous, dense texture, and no hard edges. The beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, and wood result in a hedonistic, mouthfilling, luscious Merlot to consume over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #180 / Dec 08]

This is 100% varietal, from the Loess, Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge, and Mill Creek Upland vineyards. A deep, intense take on Merlot, it’s so dark and concentrated that it dances on the )edge of bitterness, but in a style reminiscent of the finest Italian Merlots, that use that flavor to define and elucidate a dark and potent wine. In the mouth it fills out with luscious cherry and plum and blackberry fruit, baking chocolate, coconut and nougat. Yet it remains sleek and stylish, with a strong licorice note.

Wine Enthusiast Rating: 96

[Issue: 08/01/10]

This includes a dollop of Cabernet Franc in the blend. It exhibits gorgeous notes of chocolate, espresso, plums, blackberries, and cherries. Full-bodied with terrific intensity and opulence, it makes a dramatic statement about how great Napa Merlot can be. It should drink beautifully for 15 or more years.

Wine Advocate Rating: 94

[Issue: #168 / Dec 06]