2006 Havens Napa Valley Merlot (Previously $20)

Now closed after a run of 15 or so years of wonderful wines, this HEAVILY discounted Napa Merlot is a crazy steal. As Robert Parker wrote: "Mike Havens, working out of a warehouse in the city of Napa, appears to have settled into an admirable pattern, producing richer and richer Merlots." The 2006 Merlot is delicous right now. A bit softer and rounder than the Cabernet that sold so well last month, it shows excellent balance and a lush, lingering finish. A great buy at this price! (Trey Beffa, K&L Wine Merchants) The 2006 Havens Merlot reminds me of a young St-Emilion or Côtes de Castillon. With its pleasing ripe nose of roasted meats, cassis, rhubarb and new leather, with a nice spiciness, this is very French in its approach. The palate is understated, far from being the syrupy monster that Merlot has become here in the US, with cherry fruit and more savory notes of cedar, tobacco and fried sage all encapsulated in a cocoa-y shell. The finish is long and echoes on the palate after it is gone with flavors of oak toast, Kalamata olive black currant and redwood. This is serious wine with plenty of structure and density, far from the many one-trick-ponies in the under-$10-Merlot category. Pick up a case, there is no rush to drink it being that it will only get better over the 5-6 years, but at $6.99 there is no shame if you don't wait that long. (Bryan Brick, K&L)