Stags' Leap Winery Merlot - 2007 (750ml) IGP Pays d'Oc all rounded out by hints

all rounded out by hints of vanilla and oak flavors

53-gallon oak barrels and bottled at cask strength

revealing sweet tannin as well as a velvety texture

the DOWIE Vineyard on the sandy slopes of Blewitt Springs

Whisky Advocate - 83 points

Stags' Leap Winery Merlot - 2007 (750ml) IGP Pays d'Oc all rounded out by hints(2007 vintage) "This Napa Valley Merlot is a beautiful example of Napa Valley Merlot, showing exuberant dark fruit aromas of briary black cherry alongside spice notes of allspice and ginger. On the palate, there are elements of cassis and the mouth feel is rich with rounded tannins. The structure on the palate is more soft and approachable, with great acidity. A year of aging in European oak barrels added hints of sweet oak spices and dark espresso