Some Merlot is (Borat voice) BORING.

Like being a frozen pea tester (just check out the manual here)

Others, like this beast have serious intensity. Like working on a NASCAR pit crew.

We’ve described Dean’s winemaking style as “hedonistic debauchery” in the past, in line with the fact that he crushes at Deerfield Ranch which is THE address for such reds. This certainly fits that mold, but it’s not completely over the top. Neither is the price - for $28 in all of Sonoma, or in Napa for that matter, you simply cannot find a comparable high-end Merlot that’ll compete with big players such as Mayacamas, Pahlmeyer, Duckhorn, or from anywhere else in the world where Merlot is the driver.

Operative Egan Lim knows this - he sat down for a tasting with us recently, where this was one of the standouts among a VERY strong lineup.

Even with seven years of age, it’s just starting to unwind into its full potential like an exotic Pomerol it’s soft and plush, juicy and savory, structured and complex. With crushed blueberries, woodsmoke, cedar, soft vanilla crème, and peppery spice all packed in there. The big tannins, while prominent, are softening and we’d say it has the stuffing to last a good many years. But it’s so, SO irresistible right now - assuming hard-charging, full-throttle reds are your thing.

We bought the last available cases from Dean but like the Cab Franc, there’s barely enough to last a few hours we think, given the almost 65% OFF deal (again!) it is. Don’t snooze…